Illuminating Shakespeare
A Drama/Makery collaboration brought Shakespeare’s Hamlet to life through light.
In a first-time collaboration with the Upper School Makery, seventh-grade drama students explored how lighting design can transform a performance, shaping atmosphere, guiding focus, and revealing emotional depth.
Working with Act 1, Scenes 4 and 5—where Hamlet encounters the Ghost of his father—students finalized blocking and choreography, integrated lighting cues, and reflected on how design decisions influence interpretation and storytelling.
“Students were excited to incorporate what they knew of the scene with what they learned about lighting to affect the mood and heighten the atmosphere in their performance,” said US Makery Teacher Jesse Swagerty. “They were creative and intentional in their design choices, and it was fun to see their ideas come to fruition.”
“Students were excited to incorporate what they knew of the scene with what they learned about lighting to affect the mood and heighten the atmosphere in their performance,” said US Makery Teacher Jesse Swagerty. “They were creative and intentional in their design choices, and it was fun to see their ideas come to fruition.”
K-8 Drama Teacher and Director, Claire Larsen, designed the project to introduce tech theater and design into the Upper School Drama Curriculum. “Drama classes in Upper School tend to focus on laying strong foundations for each student as performers through ensemble work, voice and speech, acting, and dance techniques. This supports students building skill sets not only in the arts, but in public speaking, storytelling, and staying present and engaged when speaking in front of an audience. However, it is also important to me that our students leave Burke’s thinking of themselves as directors, producers, theater makers, and all-around storytellers who know how to communicate a vision or an idea. Understanding that producing a play or a film requires collaboration and conversations between the visual arts, performing arts, and technology is crucial. As we look towards the 8th Grade Musical, students are given opportunities to work in set design, costume, and lighting design, as well as take on leadership roles in tech theater. Giving them a literal hands-on experience with lighting design in 7th grade is a fun way to expose them to the world of stage design and technical theater, and will hopefully expand the way they think about theater and the performing arts.”
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