The Importance of Performing Shakespeare - An Interview with Michael Anderson from The Happiness Playbook

Why Performing Shakespeare Still Matters: A Conversation with Michael from Take Note TroupeWhy do we still perform Shakespeare 400 years after his death? In this special interview episode (the first for The Brit Lit Book Club) we sit down with Michael, director of Take Note Troupe's Shakespeare in the Park, to explore why Shakespeare's plays remain powerfully relevant for modern audiences, especially teenagers.Discover how Shakespeare's language shaped English as we know it, why his works are better performed than read, and which plays speak most powerfully to our current moment. Michael shares insights from directing Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and other Shakespeare classics, revealing how young performers connect with centuries-old texts through Play Theory principles.In this episode, we discuss:Why Shakespeare's relatability has given his works such staying powerHow performing Shakespeare outdoors connects to the Globe Theatre traditionThe surprising ways Shakespeare influenced modern English (including the word "bedazzled"!)Which Shakespeare play is best for first-time audiencesHow improv skills help actors tackle Shakespearean languageThe Garden of Eden themes hidden in Much Ado About NothingWhy live Shakespeare performance captures meaning that reading alone cannotThe Cedar City Shakespeare Competition and what it teaches young actorsWhether you're a Shakespeare skeptic or longtime fan, this conversation will change how you think about the Bard's enduring impact on storytelling, language, and human nature.Guest: Michael hosts The Happiness Playbook podcast, where he teaches life skills through Play Theory. Subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJCE2mr6QBhXUgeoQx4HnzA?reload=9Love this podcast? Imagine walking the Yorkshire moors where the Brontës found inspiration, visiting Jane Austen's writing desk at Chawton, and exploring Shakespeare's birthplace with fellow book lovers. We do all this and more on The Book Club Tour!Follow along with our adventures, or join us! 🌐 Explore our tours: thebookclubtour.com 📸 Instagram: @thebookclubtour 👥 Facebook: @thebookclubtour