The Festival is offering Shakespeare’s Heartbeat, based on the Hunter Heartbeat Method, for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The Hunter Heartbeat Method uses the rhythm of iambic pentameter in Shakespeare’s plays and is designed to work specifically with the ASD community to help them further develop socialization and expression skills. The learning technique encourages children’s eye contact and facial expression, improves their spatial awareness and language skills and introduces them to imaginative play using Shakespeare’s language as the catalyst.

Shakespeare’s Heartbeat will be led by Matt Rapport, Director of Education, and professional teaching artists who were trained in the Hunter Heartbeat Method in January 2018.