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About Mel Mel Ryane
Mel Ryane is a writer living in Los Angeles.
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NOTE: Names of children and teachers have been changed.
 Tweets by @melryane Teaching Will in the World Wide Web Literary Representation

Susan Schulman Literary Agency 
Darlene Chan PR email@example.com Subscribe to TW Wednesday, February 16, 2011

When Bad News Is Good News Six years ago no one at our school could even imagine what The Shakespeare Club would be. I barely knew myself and it was my big idea.

The good news: We all know its worth, and it's a success.

The bad news: We all know its worth, and it's a success.

This year, for the first time, I was campaigned, in whispers, by parents.

"Pillow has been working so hard on her lines!"

"Bottle-top is excited about auditioning!"

Of course, I would have taken cash, but no one offered.

Listen, if I had a child at this school, I'd campaign for them too. As it turns out, Shakespeare and kids is a good combo. For the first time, children came in coached to the point of using English accents. For the first time, I was overwhelmed by how much so many wanted to participate.

"Rachel, let's grade the kids' auditions 1 through 5, with 1 being the best. Agreed?"

"Absolutely," Rachel answered, and we met with one actor after another.

Each child was unique and sweet. Each one ready to pretend a filing cabinet was a bushy tree filled with snakes and beetles to be kept away from Titania, the Fairy Queen. Each one took a leap of trust and made the job of choosing near impossible.

I'm not necessarily looking for great actors — although when those show up, they cannot be ignored. I'm really interested in enthusiasm. Often the shyest kids will reap the largest benefits as they discover courage. Many times a shrinking violet will be an excellent writer. After we'd seen about ten children, I leaned over to compare Rachel's grading to my own.

"What?" I asked as she pulled her paper away from me. "Come on, show me what you've got."



"I couldn't help it. I gave them all ones."

"You what?"

"They're all so cute. I want all of them in the club."

"Oh, for Pete's sake. You're useless, Rachel. You have to be ruthless here."

"I know, I know."

Until the day arrives that I have successfully transformed this public elementary school into a Shakespearean academy, the job of auditioning is simply going to get more difficult. Especially with a softie like Rachel helping out. I wanted to be in Shakespeare club this year because I've been waiting to be in it for 3 years. It was a privlage to get in this year because Mrs. Ryan told when I was aditioning that basicly 24 people get in Shakespeare club. I also want to be in Shakespeare club because I love acting and I like William Shakespeare.

—Bridget, 3rd grade
Shakespearean academy graphic from Flickr user inacentaurdump

Posted by Mel Ryane at 6:00 AM Labels: Children's Writes, Year Six: A Midsummer Night's Dream