Akron Public Library

Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited. "The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the "story" of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare's language intact. Specific stage directions...

One of Shakespeare's most frequently performed comedies, Much Ado About Nothing includes two quite different stories of romantic love. Hero and Claudio fall in love almost at first sight, but an outsider, Don John, strikes out at their happiness. Beatrice and Benedick are kept apart by pride and mutual antagonism until others decide to play Cupid. --Publisher

Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, discusses the author and the theatre of his time, and provides quizzes and other study activities. Here is a modern version of one of his most brilliantly realized tragedies, this powerful tale of the agin King Lear, his too-rash decisions, and his betrayal at the hands of his own family becomes a powerful, unforgettable tale for today's reader. Modern English...

"A triumphant Caesar enters Rome after defeating the sons of his old enemy, Pompey. Jealousy and fear over Caesar's reforms reveal a brewing conspiracy to assassinate him. As the plot thickens, Caesar's wife is plagued by terrible nightmares and begs him not to go to the Capitol. But Caesar shrugs off her fears and is accompanied to the Senate by the conspirators thus sealing his fate. Caesar's loyal friends rally to avenge his death and preserve...

Has any other love story become so enmeshed in our culture as the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet? In fair Verona the families of Montague and Capulet are locked in a long-standing, bitter blood feud when young Romeo Montague slips into a masquerade party at the Capulet's. During the dance he glimpses Juliet, the daughter of the house, and is struck by love at first sight. She returns his passion and they promise each other everlasting love notwithstanding...

In Last Minute Speeches and Toasts, Andrew Frothingham gives you useful tips and ideas on how to make a winning last minute speech or toast. You'll find helpful advice and reassurance including.

The smart, witty, nationally bestselling guide to public speaking. "If you get nervous, just picture everyone in the audience naked." We've all heard this piece of advice on public speaking before. But what about "Keep the ball alive!" or "Be a bit of Springsteen"? There's more to being a great speaker than removing your audience's clothes, and Ron Hoff's I CAN SEE YOU NAKED goes beyond the basics to cleverly and insightfully demonstrate what an effective...

For those looking to become a highly-paid speaker who makes a difference, Expert Speaker reveals how to take the stage by being an expert, not the expert. The fastest way to build authority, get one's name out to the public, and attract premium clients is by public speaking. The truth is, not just any speech will win stages and attract the right clients. In Expert Speaker, ExpertSpeaker.com founder Majeed Mogharreban draws from his ten years of experience...