Using the works of William Shakespeare, The Viola Project unites and empowers girls and gender nonconforming youth from diverse backgrounds so they may grow up to be whoever they want to be. TVP is a program of City Lit Theater.
Check here for the latest news about The Viola Project! Find information on workshops and camps here as well as links to articles we love about girls and Shakespeare! Don't see the answer to what you're looking for? Email us at violainfo@violaproject.org.
It's time to revitalize Viola's blog!
What types of subjects or themes would you like to see written about here?
Viola Girls / parents - want to be a guest blogger? Let us know!
Be on the lookout... Viola's new and updated blog is on the way!
Love,
The Viola Project
I teach drama in an elementary school to boys and girls. Last year I taught 4, 5, and 6 grade. This year I am teaching 4, 6, and 7 graders. My 4th grade girls are funny, they’re loud, they speak up, they get mad when someone hurts them. A few weeks ago, one of my students did something that I really hope she will do for the rest of her life: she had raised her hand, been called on, and was contributing to class. As she was talking, another student started a side conversation with someone else. And the student stopped what she was saying, turned around, made eye contact with the offending student, and in a firm clear voice said, “Can you please stop talking while I’m talking?” It was very simple. A classmate was infringing on her ability to be heard and she stopped it.
My girls in 6th and 7th grade however, do not speak. They are incredibly polite, they are kind, most of them work really really hard, but as far as their voices go, they're silent. My 6th and 7th graders wait to be noticed rather than draw attention to themselves. While my 4th grade girls are comfortable laughing loudly, my 6th and 7th grade girls either do not let sound pass over their vocal chords when they laugh or the laugh starts and they physically stop it from coming all the way out with their hands. Did I mention they were less likely to get involved in class discussions or advocate for what they need? They are. I want you to take just 5 seconds and really think about what the implications of this are. What the short term implications of this are, and what the long terms implications of this are. We cannot stand here and be upset that women make up only 20% of congress and the senate if we are not willing to address this problem of what happens during adolescence that causes girls to loose their voices.
We are a girls’ empowerment program. One of the pillars of our program is to pair classical texts with 21st century skills that we believe help girls lead their lives with more agency and confidence. We will always be partnering with organizations to teach our students self defense, financial literacy, a better understand our legal system, etc. But if you can’t put your finger on why acting, why performance, why Shakespeare, I’m going to tell you right now.
Shakespeare’s characters use language to get what they want.
Viola (our namesake) does not sit meekly in the background hoping that the audience will cheer her on by observing the darting of her eyes, her smile, or what she might be wearing. Instead, Shakespeare’s characters lay their needs, their desires, their dreams, their prejudices out with specificity, determination, and promise of action. Shakespeare's characters are determined to get what they want, to be understood, to be listened to. They advocate for themselves, whether it's for a kingdom or a kiss. There is no better teacher for how to use language to make your voice heard than William Shakespeare.
If you know a girl whose head is filled with ideas but may lack the courage to speak out with conviction in front of her peers, send her to The Viola Project. Allow her to be Cleopatra, or Lady Percy, or Juliet, or Hamlet for a day. There is no better teacher for how to use language to make your voice heard than William Shakespeare.
-- Skyler Schrempp
Artistic Director
Dear Viola Project Friends and Family,
With the holiday season upon us, we can't help but be thankful for the wonderful family we have. It is because of you that we celebrated our 10th anniversary this year of empowering young women through the works of William Shakespeare.
Today is #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back and celebrating generosity. Please consider celebrating #GivingTuesday this year with a contribution to The Viola Project. We need you to help us reach another 10 years and beyond of empowering girls to find their voices.
Your donation will embolden the next generation of Beatrices, Hermias, Kates, Rosalinds, and Violas. Your contribution will directly help in the creation of on-going scholarships, provide support for our teachers and guest artists, teen leadership and college apprenticeship programs, long-term strategic planning, and more. We welcome you to designate your gift to an area you most wish to support.
What does The Viola Project mean to you? We'd love to hear your thoughts and stories to add to our developing testimonials page on our website.
Email Rebecca@violaproject.org if you'd like to share your perspective.
We are so grateful for The Viola Project family. Thank you for all your support and for allowing us to play a role in your daughters' lives and the lives of other Chicagoland girls.
Love,
The Viola Project
Dear Viola Project Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for joining us at MIRTH AND LAUGHTER last night! We loved celebrating with you. Watching some of TVP girls performing alongside professional actresses was so exciting and inspiring. We hope you enjoyed the evening, as well!
If you weren't able to join us (or even if you were) and you'd like to donate to TVP in support of our mission to empower young women through the works of William Shakespeare, please do so here. We so appreciate your generosity!
UP NEXT AT THE VIOLA PROJECT:
Moms of Avon V - Moms and daughters, come celebrate each other at our Mother's Day mini workshop!
Dads of Stratford II - Dads, we loved having you last year for the first time and we're thrilled to welcome you back for our Father's Day mini workshop!
SUMMER CAMPS - We're back with another exciting summer of great plays, fantastic conversations, and plenty of time at the beach! Spend your summer with TVP!
Thanks for all your support. The Viola Project would not be the same without you. Hope to see you soon!
Love,
The Viola Project
During April's Birthday Bash workshop, the girls of the Viola Project were taken by the line from As You Like It's "All the world's a stage" speech: "...with a woeful ballad made to his mistress' eyebrow". Through the course of the day, this line was inspiration for our own ode to Shakespeare for his birthday. Enjoy!
Ode To The Eyebrow
The eyebrow
On Shakespeare's face,
That wooly caterpillar of grace,
Is furrier than
A squirrel's tail.
Eyebrow, frybrow
The highbrow eyebrow;
Fancytown, bow down
All hail, what a male!
As these arches
Do their marches
Up and down
With a wink,
Making generations think.
His mustache is foul
And his eyebrows are fair,
Though both prime examples
Of facial hair.
His work we still praise
After all of these days
For Shakespeare's 450th
We all give hurrays
And pray that his eyebrows
He never does raze!
With only a few days left in March, TVP is looking forward to a busy and exciting April!
Saturday, April 5th is our SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY BASH workshop. Structured like our monthly Saturday workshops, we will celebrate Shakespeare's 450 birthday with favorite and celebratory scenes. Check out our "Workshops" page for more information!
Sunday, April 27th is our MIRTH AND LAUGHTER event -- another celebration of Shakespeare's 450th birthday, The Viola Project's 10th birthday, and our mission. Check out the "Mirth and Laughter" page for ticket and event information!
We can't wait to spend April with our TVP family!
This is the last week to register for the March 8th workshop, MINOR CHARACTERS, MAJOR PARTS!
There are so many characters in Shakespeare's plays -- but what are the servants, soldiers, and ladies in waiting doing while we watch the Kings and Queens?
Come find out with us!
As we approach our special Tempest workshop in partnership with City Lit, we invite all family and friends to join The Viola Project girls and teachers for dinner and a play! While the girls will meet at 3pm for a mini workshop, family and friends are welcome to buy dinner and play tickets through our website and join us at 6:15! Haven't seen a Shakespeare play with your daughter yet? This is your chance! Unlike last year, we will need no transportation since the play, the dinner and the workshop will be happening at City Lit. Please do alert us if there is any dietary restrictions you may have!
Join your daughter for dinner and The Tempest on February 8th! We'll meet some actors, have a bite to eat and then watch a play together! If you have dietary restrictions, please make sure we know ahead of time so that we can accommodate you! Meet your girls at City Lit at 6:15, the show is at 7!
Registration deadline: Feb 1, 2014.
Thanks to all those who came out for our second annual Winter's Toast at the Red Lion! And special thanks to Xena, Ileana, Ana, Maud, Abby and Rosa for performing selections from As You Like It. Here are some photos from the evening. Click to scroll through pictures. We hope everyone will join us once again for Mirth and Laughter this April!
If you're seeing this blog post it's because you've visited our brand new website! In honor of our new website and new check out system, ALL workshops are $10 off when using the code "viola". So take advantage of our holiday sale! We've got Relatively Crazy coming up on December 7th! Also remember that we've got A Winter's Toast coming up on December 15th! Join us as we celebrate the holidays with libations and Shakespeare!
We are so excited to make a tradition of joining with friends and family at the Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Square! Join us on December 15 from 5pm-7pm for light appetizers and entertainment as we celebrate with new comings and veterans!
Many thanks indeed for all your fine work this past weekend! We hope we will see you for Relatively Crazy on December 7th!
There's a chill in the air and you know it. Do you have a favorite Shakespeare quote about the seasons? As we fill our homes with spiced cider, baking bread and heap our beds with blankets, let us know what you're reading!
We are getting ready for our second workshop of our 10th season with Grace and Gratitude! The idea for this workshop came out of a conversation about not taking things for granted. There are so many characters in Shakespeare that have the dearest things they know taken away from them. While some characters re-find what they once lost, many characters are not so lucky; King Lear exiles his dearest daughter only to lose her when he needs her most. There are also many characters that act as the voice of reason in the midst of terrible conflicts. What if we all did our best to stop violence, as Benvolio tries to do? What if we learn from Lear so that we know to appreciate what we have? Come kick of the month of Thanksgiving with us!
Contact The Viola Project
email: ViolaInfo@violaproject.org
phone: (773)-349-2685
address: 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660 
The Viola Project is a program of City Lit Theater
www.citylit.org