Exploring Shakespeare’s Relevance Today: Join the Vail Symposium for an In-Depth Discussion

William Shakespeare’s works still speak to us today. He wrote about love, jealousy, fate, and many other human experiences over 400 years ago. These themes are just as relevant now as they were back then.

Jill Gordon, a theater expert and instructor at Colorado Mountain College, emphasizes the ongoing influence of Shakespeare. “Shakespeare isn’t just a relic of the past. People use his works in various ways today, and that’s exciting,” she explains. Gordon holds a master’s in theater and performance studies and aims to make Shakespeare accessible to everyone.

Gordon has lived in the Vail Valley since 1976, where she raised her family while her husband, Steve, taught at the local mountain school. She always wanted to promote her love for Shakespeare in Eagle County but knew she needed to start with manageable events.

Instead of jumping into major productions, she decided to hold smaller, high-quality sessions to spark interest in Shakespeare. After her class gained popularity over nine semesters, a student encouraged her to present her ideas to the Vail Symposium. The “Weekend with Will” event was born!

The event kicks off on Thursday with a discussion led by moderator Clay Jenkinson, who will explore “Shakespeare: The Magic of the Word.” He’ll be joined by Paul Lasakow, an actor and executive director from Virginia. Together, they will make Shakespeare fun and relatable, sharing background stories and readings from his works.

On Friday morning, Gordon will moderate another panel discussion, “Why Are We Still Talking About Shakespeare?” This will take place at Eagle River Presbyterian Church and will include experts from the Applied Shakespeare program, which connects Shakespeare’s works to social issues.

Amanda Giguere, a national voice in violence prevention and a dramaturg, will be part of this panel. She leads workshops in schools, using plays like “Twelfth Night” to address bullying issues. Kevin Rich, another panelist and director of the Applied Shakespeare Program at CU Boulder, uses Shakespeare’s works in therapeutic settings, helping veterans and individuals dealing with trauma.

Peter Garino from Chicago’s Shakespeare Project will also participate. He will perform “Shakespeare for My Father,” a poignant one-woman play by Lynn Redgrave that delves into her relationship with her father.

Gordon hopes that “Weekend with Will” will encourage more people to explore Shakespeare’s works and understand their relevance today. “I want to create a community that appreciates and enjoys Shakespeare,” she asserts. “Many feel overwhelmed by his texts, but they were meant for performance, so experiencing them live can be joyful.”

If you’re interested in the events of “Weekend with Will,” you can find more information and tickets at VailSymposium.org. Ticket prices vary, and students and teachers can attend for free.