Shall I Prepare Me for a Summer’s Day?
Alas, the wait is over and my Summer 2015 Sojourn at Shakespeare’s Globe in London is about to begin!
Anyone who knows me can tell you that my feet have barely touched the ground since I found out a few months ago that I’d be taking part in The Globe’s three-week Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance program. The program, a joint project of Shakespeare’s Globe and The English Speaking Union of the United States (https://www.esuus.org/esu/programs), offers American middle and high school English or Drama teachers intensive, play-filled, and practical approaches to teaching Shakespeare. Teachers attend lectures, performances, participate in workshops, and ultimately perform scenes ourselves right on the legendary Globe stage!
Many teachers attend this and other programs in the UK (at Oxford and at The University of Edinburgh) through the sponsorship of the ESU’s local branches. I am the immensely grateful recipient of a British University Summer Schools (BUSS) scholarship from the Princeton, New Jersey branch.
For now, the key is not to over-pack; a quick look at the picture of my real-life suitcase at the top of this blog will indicate how much of a challenge this is for me under any circumstances. The prospect of packing for a London summer however makes it even more daunting. It goes without saying that I’ve packed a light hooded rain jacket and of course, a compact brolly (brolly = umbrella; just showing off my “English”:)). But from what I read, last week’s weather hit the 90-degree mark for the first time in decades, causing people to wilt like lilies during long, non-air conditioned tube rides, so I also can’t forego the sleeveless tops and gossamer fabrics. The solution? I’ll take the weather in stride, and my fashion cues from an onion.
What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
(3 Henry VI, 4.3.60)
Click “Follow” to stay tuned…More to come next week.
Learner Sojourner 
So happy for you. What a treat and well-deserved!
Thanks, Jan. Day 2 and it’s safe to say it’s pure magic.