Masquerade! 2026
Camp Challenges
​​the fine print
If youth would like to do some fun Shakespeare learning on their own, we have provided several optional challenges. Camp participants have between registration and the Shakespeare Camp Performance date to complete their challenges. However, we will need to know one week prior which projects you WILL HAVE completed by the last day of camp.
Campers will need to pass each one off to a parent or guardian and then fill out the google form linked below with the specific challenges completed. A certificate will be awarded to each camper at the Friday evening performance, listing their completed challenges.
Anyone who reads Shakespeare’s Secret AND completes at least 6 challenges will receive a SPECIAL prize.
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PLEASE NOTE: If you have already completed any of the general Challenges for a previous camp, you are welcome to complete the Challenge again as long as you do it differently. For example, for the Memorize 15 Famous Quotes Challenge, the quotes or passages you memorize and the plays you read or watch must be different from those you used earlier. Challenges in red are specific to Masquerade! Camp.
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quick-start CHALLENGES
(Everyone is welcome to complete these first 3 Challenges*;
we just recommend first-time campers start here.)
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1. Categorize Shakespeare’s 38 Plays into Comedy, Tragedy, History:
Given the titles of Shakespeare’s 38 plays, sort each into its own category without assistance: Comedy, Tragedy, and History. See a list of all the plays here.
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2. Learn the Characteristics of Comedy, Tragedy, and History:
Read all about the Characteristics of Comedy, Tragedy and History.
Find summaries of each of the following plays here.
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Read Much Ado About Nothing summary and identify 3 characteristics of Shakespeare’s comedies.
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Read Twelfth Night summary and identify at least 3 characteristics of Shakespeare’s comedies.
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Read Romeo and Juliet summary and identify at least 3 characteristics of Shakespeare’s tragedies.
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Read Henry VIII summary and identify 3 characteristics of Shakespeare’s histories.
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3. Watch 1 Full-length Shakespeare Play and Notice Basic Acting Aspects:
Following are four basic acting and staging terms and their definitions. Learn each one, and then watch a full-length Shakespeare play (not a movie) live or online and observe each aspect below. Write up one thing you noticed about each aspect and how the actors’ use of this aspect made the play easier for you to understand and more enjoyable for you to watch.
Basic Acting and Staging Terms and Definitions:
Blocking: The placement and movement of figures on stage, especially for the purpose of telling a story
Cheating Out: Turning your body towards the audience so that they can see your face and expressions
Diction: The style of enunciation of words in speaking and singing
Projection: The volume at which you speak (loud enough so all the audience can hear)
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How did the blocking contribute to the effectiveness of the play?
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Did the actors cheat out? How was it helpful?
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How was the diction of the performers? How did the clarity of speech (or not) contribute to your understanding of the play?
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How did the actors do at projecting? Were there any times you could not hear their voices? If so, what would you recommend for improvement?
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4. Read the Abridged Version of the Plays We Will Discuss in Camp.
We are focusing on these four plays for the Masquerade camp: Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, and Henry VIII
We prefer you read abridged versions of the plays from one of the books above or something similar. However, if you do not have access to one of these books, you may read the full online summary from this website: William Shakespeare Plays. Finally, if you want to wait until you receive your camp binder the week before camp, you may also read the summary there. Here are some great print sources:
A Stage Full of Shakespeare Stories
The Shakespeare Stories Box Set
20 Shakespeare Children's Stories
Tales from Shakespeare
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What do two of the plays (or three, or all four) have in common?
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Why might we have chosen them to complement our “Let’s Dream” focus this year?
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Just from reading the summary, what would you like to know more about one of the characters in each play?
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How do you think the plots of the plays might relate (or not) to today’s culture?
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​​5. Learn the Characters and Basic Plot of 4 Plays:
Choose 4 of Shakespeare’s plays that are not included in this year’s camp.
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Learn the main characters’ names.
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Learn the basic story plot of each play. Summarize each in at least 5 sentences orally or in writing.
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6. Make a 3D Model of the Globe Theater:
Research the Globe, and include at least the following in your model:
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Main Stage
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Upper Stage
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Inner Stage
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Flag
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Tiring House
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Galleries
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Open Yard
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Trapdoor
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Answer the following questions:
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Why do you think they designed the theater this way?
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If you were to design your own theater, how would you design it and why?
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7. Shakespeare’s Language
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Learn the meanings of the words/phrases on the first 2 pages of Understanding Shakespeare’s Language.
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Create a short story of your own (or use a common fairy or folk tale, such as “Cinderella”, “Little Red Ridinghood”, “Snow White”, “Jack and the Beanstalk, etc.) Use at least 15 of the words/phrases in your story.
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Entertain a family member by reading your story, using your best expression.
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8. Memorize a Famous Passage from a Shakespeare Play:
Select a famous passage to memorize, at least 10-15 lines long, either from the passages we’re going to discuss in our camp or one of your own choosing and then do the following before reciting the passage to your parents:
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Give the title of the play and the background of the scene.
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Tell them who is speaking.
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Recite the passage without any assistance.
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When complete, fill out the Google form.
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9. Memorize 15 Famous Quotes from Shakespeare’s Plays:
Several websites with Shakespeare quotes are given below, but you may find your quotes anywhere.
Please Note: A quote is a whole sentence or more. A phrase is a few words put together but not a quote. For example, “A rose by any other name” is a phrase because it is not a complete sentence. The quote which includes that phrase is “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” To pass off this challenge with a parent, do the following for each of the 15 quotes:
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Have your parent prompt you with a key word or two from your quote list.
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Recite each quote without assistance.
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Tell what play the quote is from and who is speaking.
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Tell the meaning of the quote.
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10. Read a Summary of the Problem Plays:
Read a summary of each of Shakespeare’s “Problem” Plays: All's Well that Ends Well, Measure for Measure, Troilus & Cressida, Timon of Athens, The Merchant of Venice
Problem Play Characteristics: Plays which combine both elements of tragedy and comedy, not falling neatly into either category.
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For each play identify both the comedy and the tragedy characteristics.
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Explain why each play is characterized as a problem play.
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If you had to categorize each play as either a comedy or a tragedy, how would you categorize it and why?
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11. Read or Watch One Problem Play:
Read or watch at least one of Shakespeare’s “Problem” Plays: All's Well that Ends Well, Measure for Measure, Troilus & Cressida, Timon of Athens, The Merchant of Venice
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Summarize the play to a family member.
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Tell them a favorite scene and why.
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Share the theme of the play.
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12. Stage Combat:
Choreograph one of the following fight scenes. Write down the choreography, perform it with a friend, then answer the question below.
Much Ado About Nothing: Benedick vs. Claudio, Act 5, scene 1;
Twelfth Night: Sir Andrew vs. Viola (disguised as Cesario), Act 3, scene 4
Romeo and Juliet: Mercutio vs. Tybalt and Romeo vs. Tybalt, both Act 3, scene 1
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How did it go?
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What techniques and props did you use?
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What would you do differently?
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13. ​Read or Watch a Full-length Shakespeare Play:
After reading/watching the play, do the following:
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Summarize the play to a family member.
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Tell a favorite scene.
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Tell why you chose that scene.
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Share the theme of the play.
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14. Watch a Full-length Shakespeare Play, Focusing on Acting Techniques:
Do the following:
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Watch for how the characters demonstrate emotion through their dialogue.
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Notice how the actors use vocal variety (loud vs. soft voice; fast vs. slow speaking, etc.).
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Pay attention to how the actors act when they are not saying anything (nonverbal acting).
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Make a list with 3 examples of each item you are watching for.
Note: The play you watch for this Challenge must be different from the one you watch for the other Challenges.)
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15. William Shakespeare Interview:
Pretend you are a journalist interviewing William Shakespeare. Write an article all about his life, his inspirations, his favorite play he wrote, how it is to work with the play company, how he feels about living in London, etc. Do a lot of research on Shakespeare’s life and times to discover how he may answer your questions. The article needs to be at least one typed page.
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16. Stage Design and Lighting:
Choose one of the plays we are discussing in the Masquerade! Camp, imagining you had an unlimited budget, and choose what type of stage you’d prefer to perform on, design how the stage would look for two scenes, and include the lighting colors. You can either draw it on the included stage design work sheet or build a 3D diorama version out of a shoe box (only one scene). Write a paragraph about why you chose that particular design and lighting choices and what you hope the design will convey to the audience.
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17. Shakespeare’s Monologues:
HERE are 10 of Shakespeare’s most well-known monologues. Look through them and choose one to memorize.
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Perform the monologue for your family (giving them the background beforehand).
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How did you do?
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What is your favorite part of the monologue?
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18. Masquerade in Shakespeare’s Plays:
The plays we are learning about this camp all have a theme of masquerade: Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, Henry VIII. Choose one of the plays and write a couple of paragraphs on why Shakespeare incorporated the masquerade (or masked ball) into the story and what it contributes to the story. Decorate the attached mask to fit one of the characters from the play you chose.
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19. Write a Page on the Shakespeare Character You Most Relate To:
- Describe the character and what play they are in.
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Include different facets of their character which make them fully rounded.
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What makes them interesting to you?
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Write at least ½ -typed page.
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20. Write a Shakespearean Sonnet: Compose your own sonnet. The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd, efef, gg. The rhythm is iambic pentameter: da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM. (If you need more direction, we will learn about sonnets during the camp.)
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How many lines are in a sonnet?
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What is the rhyme scheme?
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What meter is used?
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21. Write a Scene in Shakespeare’s Style, Using both Prose and Iambic Pentameter.
Perform it for your Family.
Shakespeare often uses different language to differentiate between social classes: Generally higher class characters use Iambic Pentameter while lower class characters use prose. Come up with a short scenario with at least two characters from a higher and a lower class. Then write a 3-page scene and depict these social differences in your scene by using iambic pentameter for the higher class and prose for the lower class. Find someone to perform your scene with you for your family or friends.
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After your performance, write a short half-page analysis.
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