Ballet Five Eight · Original Story Ballet
Shrewd
Shakespeare. Chicago.
A voice of her own.
A bold reimagining of The Taming of the Shrew, set in Bronzeville on Chicago’s South Side.
An old story. A new conversation.
Who gets to decide
who you become?
Choreography by Julianna Rubio Slager
Inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew
Meet Kat: sharp-witted, strong-minded, and unwilling to disappear into someone else’s expectations.
In Jim Crow–era Bronzeville, Shakespeare’s familiar characters enter a different world. Through dance-theater, jazz-inflected movement, and select spoken text, Shrewd explores identity, misunderstanding, and the pressure to play a role chosen by others.
Humor and expressive storytelling invite students into a conversation about race, gender, power, and the right to be heard.
Start with what students notice: a gesture, a glance, a choice. Movement becomes a way to read character and interpret a story.
From the stage to the classroom
Watch closely.
Think beyond the steps.
Read an adaptation
Compare Shakespeare’s language with a story told through bodies, music, and space. What changes when a scene moves from the page to the stage?
Consider the setting
Explore how placing the story in Bronzeville changes the questions students ask about identity, opportunity, and power.
Find a point of view
Notice who leads, who listens, and whose choices shape a scene. Support an interpretation with evidence from the performance.
“What did you see that made you think that?”
One question to carry from the theater into your classroom.
Educator resources
Make the experience
part of your teaching.
Use these classroom starters before and after the performance. Choose the activities that fit your students, and request program-specific materials when booking.
Connections: English language arts, theater and dance, Chicago history, and social studies.
Read & compare
One scene, two ways of telling it
Read a short passage from Katherine and Petruchio’s first meeting in Act 2, Scene 1. Ask students to identify what each character wants and how the language reveals it.
At the performance, look for a moment between Kat and Pete that expresses conflict or connection. Afterward, compare the tools of a playwright and a choreographer.
Read Shakespeare’s play at the Folger Shakespeare Library ↗History & context
What does a setting change?
Locate Bronzeville on a map of Chicago. Introduce the Great Migration, segregation, and the neighborhood’s cultural life through age-appropriate historical sources.
Ask: How might a character’s choices be shaped by the place and time they live in? Return to students’ ideas after the show.
Discuss & reflect
Whose rules? Whose voice?
When does Kat seem most able to be herself? What do posture, distance, timing, and facial expression tell us about her relationship with Pete?
Invite students to name a specific moment as evidence. Make room for different interpretations and allow reflection without requiring personal disclosure.
Movement & writing
Turn an idea into movement
Create a small gesture for “I have a different idea.” Change its speed, size, or direction. How does the meaning change? Students may participate seated, describe a gesture, or observe.
Then write a short paragraph: What can movement communicate that words might leave unsaid?
For educators: the story raises questions about controlling behavior, gender expectations, and racial inequity. Preview these themes and choose discussion approaches appropriate for your class.
Plan your school experience
Start a conversation.
Bring Shrewd to life.
Tell us about your students and your goals. Our team can discuss performance options, educational activities, and the practical details of your visit or presentation.
Kayla Kowach
kkowach@ballet58.org
Helpful details to include
- School or organization and grade levels
- Estimated student and chaperone count
- Preferred dates and location
- Curriculum goals and accessibility needs
What ages is this designed for?
The published school program is recommended for middle and high school students. Contact us to discuss suitability and available adaptations for your group.
How long is the program, and what does it cost?
Request current program options, running time, and a quote for your group. Timing, pricing, availability, and technical needs are confirmed with the Ballet 5:8 team for each booking.
Can we include discussion or artist interaction?
Ask about related educational activities, a lecture demonstration, or a dancer Q&A when planning your program. The team will confirm the format available for your date and venue.
What should we request before attending?
Ask for current educator materials, a program overview, arrival and dismissal details, accessibility arrangements, and any venue requirements. Share what your students are studying so the team can help connect the experience.