On March 18, Joan Beers and Heidi Chambers took approximately 50 Bainbridge High School students to a performance of Othello at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, Ala.

Because of a grant from the Decatur County Schools’ Foundation Inc., students watched as the villainous Iago set out to destroy the marriage of the beautiful Desdemona to the Turkish Moore, Othello for Iago’s own selfish gains.

As a result of their theater experience, students gained a greater understanding of literary and dramatic elements of this specific work and of drama in general.

The literature came to life on stage—a powerful way to teach the required standards related to drama.

Following the play, students were able to interact with two of the actors who participated in a question-and-answer session. Questions ranged from how individual actors got into character, if the actors watched other productions in advance of the festival performance, and how each actor felt about the character he portrayed.

This experience will not only improve the students’ comprehension of this particular play, but may also enhance the students’ appreciation for the dramatic arts.