DPS Calendar of Events

Afilliation:Gifted And Talented

When: Saturday, May 10, 2008 – 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM

Where: Skyline Park

Contact: Terri Freund – Terri_Freund@dpsk12.org 720-423-8277

Additional Location Information:Skyline Park

DPS is celebrating our 24th year as the largest Shakespeare Festival in the nation as well as being named a Folger Shakespeare Library Exemplary Site. The festival begins with opening ceremonies at Skyline Park at 10:00 AM, followed by a rout to the Denver Performing Arts Complex where student performances take place from 10:45 AM until 3:45PM on twelve stages. 4000 students, ranging from kindergarten to seniors in high school, will perform scenes from Shakespeare and several teams will compete in the Shakespeare Challenge Bowl from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM in the Bonfils Theatre.

The DPS Shakespeare Festival has grown from an initial participation of around 400 students in its inagural year in 1985 to over 4000 students this year. Many students participate in the Festival from the early grades all through high school. What they gain through this participation is immeasurable. Not only do they learn about one of the world's greatest writers, they also gain poise, learn public speaking, and gain a wonderful sense of teamwork with their fellow actors. Watching the Challenge Bowl, people are continually amazed at the depth of knowledge shown by even the youngest students.

Teachers at all of our participating schools put in numerous hours of their own time to help their students prepare for the Festival and deserve many thanks for all they do. Joe Craft, the originator and director of the Festival is as enthusiastic about the Festival today as he was when it started. He is looking forward to next year's 25th anniversary. At our recent auction, Mr. Craft stated that he was proud of the success of the Festival, "especially since I was told the first year that 'no kid is ever going to want to learn Shakespeare'." We are all grateful they were wrong.