Ira Aldridge dreamed of being on stage one day performing the great works of William Shakespeare. He spent every chance he got at the local theaters, memorizing each actor s lines for all of Shakespeare s plays. Ira just knew he could be a great Shakespearean actor if only given the chance. But in the
Ira Aldridge dreamed of being on stage one day performing the great works of William Shakespeare. He spent every chance he got at the local theaters, memorizing each actor s lines for all of Shakespeare s plays. Ira just knew he could be a great Shakespearean actor if only given the chance. But in the early 1800s, only white actors were allowed to perform Shakespeare. Ira s only option was to perform musical numbers at the all-black theater in New York city. Despite being discouraged by his teacher and father, Ira determinedly pursued his dream and set off to England, the land of Shakespeare. There, Ira honed his acting skills and eventually performed at the acclaimed Theatre Royal Haymarket. Through perseverance and determination, Ira became one of the most celebrated Shakespearean actors throughout Europe. Illustrated by award-winning artist Floyd Cooper, Ira s Shakespeare Dream is a captivating tribute to the inspiring life of Ira Aldridge, and to the renowned works of William Shakespeare.
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An Important Book! I was looking for books to introduce my grandson to the life and works of Shakespeare since we are on the eve of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 1616. This beautiful book not only helps to emphasize the importance of Shakespeare to American and international theater over all these years, but also tells the equally important story of the dreams of an unlikely African American young man, Ira Aldridge, to become a Shakespearean actor. Ira’s strong ambition and hard work brought his…
Armand brings vividly to life the emotional and artistic development of a groundbreaking actor You might say that Ira Aldridge is having his moment — just 200 or so years late. A recent play that made waves in London and on Broadway tells his story, and now Glenda Armand and Floyd Cooper are also telling Ira’s story for younger readers in the beautiful new picture book IRAâS SHAKESPEARE DREAM.IRA’S SHAKESPEARE DREAM tells the story of a young boy in the early 1800s who loved reading Shakespeare plays aloud in class and watching them from the balcony of a local theater. But…
Add this to your U.S. 19th century trailblazer text set This would be a great read aloud or partner read and then reread in the intermediate grades. There are lots of well-threaded or developed themes for student-led discussions – determination, perseverance, courage, being an abolitionist while pursuing dreams, thinking globally, etc. Each of these themes is addressed in multiple places in this well written text. Like other reviewers have commented, Armand’s writing pulls you in as she tells the story of Ira Aldridge while also creating a picture…