a Fools in Schools Program
Touring to Ottawa middle and high schools
March 31-April 12, 2025

a Company of Fools sets off on tour with a brand-new Shakespearean show for local middle and high schools this spring: The Understudy! Designed for Grades 7-12, The Understudy is an interactive comedy featuring a medley of scenes from Shakespeare’s greatest hits, performed by Ottawa’s finest professional actors. Oh, and did we mention that your students are performing in it, too?

About The Show
When a theatre troupe finds out that their star actor has gone missing they must find a replacement – and quickly! This hilarious and fast-paced misadventure features a Company of Fools performing some of Shakespeare’s greatest scenes alongside lucky “understudies” from the audience. With different “stars” each show, every performance is one-of-a-kind. Is this The Actor’s Nightmare, you may ask? More like The Actor’s Dream! The Understudy features our skilled professional actors and your students! Scenes are taken from plays including Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, King Lear, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Students will join in the fun and tread the boards alongside their favourite Fools this spring!

Why Shakespeare?
The Understudy is an interactive way to engage students in exploring the works of William Shakespeare, one of the most famous and prolific playwrights in the Western world. Casting students from the audience and bringing them into the world of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays is compelling for other students to watch, while exposing all students to important literary and dramatic works. In 2025 his plays are still relevant as they transcend the theatre and are referenced in literature, film, music, and pop culture. We believe that in order to understand the world around them students need to have a basic knowledge of Shakespeare and his plays. a Company of Fools pride ourselves on our imaginative, innovative, and accessible takes on Shakespeare’s works. Our performances and workshops give students the tools and ideas to express themselves creatively through the dramatic arts, and offer an experiential learning experience that connects to English, Drama, and History curriculums.

The Deets
Show Length: 60 minutes (can also include a 15-minute talkback or Q&A after the performance if requested).
Timing: Weekdays March 31st – April 11th, 2025. Available for morning or afternoon performances – choose the best day and time for your school!
Cost: $800/performance (Partial and full subsidies are available).
Extras: $350/workshop. A same-day 90-minute workshop on performing Shakespeare’s plays can be added to enrich learning (30 students maximum per workshop. Partial subsidies are available.).
To Book: For more information and to book the Fools in your school, please email Caity Smyck at generalmanager@fools.ca. We look forward to performing at your school!

WORKSHOPS

We offer Shakespeare workshops throughout the school year.

Tales from Macbeth
In this Macbeth-themed workshop participants explore the text and relationships from the play with visual support from 2024 production design.

Introduction to Shakespeare
In this workshop for those new to the works of Shakespeare, participants will take a trip back in time to Shakespeare’s day, learning how to demystify the Bard’s language and become “detectives” as they uncover the meaning and rhythm of poetic verse.

The Deets

  • We provide workshops for elementary and high school students (a maximum of 30 per workshop).
  • All of our teaching staff are trained theatre professionals with backgrounds in education.
  • Full & Half Day packages available.

Book Now

Want to learn more, or book a workshop? Click the button below to shoot an email to generalmanager@fools.ca!

Students say …

“A fun and highly interactive workshop where we were able to hone our skills in areas you probably won’t get to experience in a classroom. We learned the importance of vocal inflections and body language in a safe and non-judgemental space.”

Grade 12 SHSM Student

“It was an experience filled with laughter; taking away memories and skills. It was beyond an average class experience.”

Grade 12 SHSM Student