Founded by CYS in 2013 as a Chicago's first region-wide Shakespeare Slam program for high school teams, Battle of the Bard events are designed to cross boundaries—of geography, cultures and experience — bringing students together through performance, team spirit, and friendly competition.
2017/'18 BOTB events
Saturday Shakes
Battle of the Boo! Fright Night Open-Mic
Winter Shakescation
Creative Youth Competition
Saturday Shakes
Battle of the Boo! Fright Night Open-Mic
Winter Shakescation
Creative Youth Competition
BOTB 2016
Our process was wonderful and my students felt transformed and grateful for being a part of it. - BOTB Teacher/Coach
The amazing people I met have such unique talents and it scares me that I might have never met them. Also, my appreciation for Shakespeare has gone through the roof – (now I can't wait to read Lear and Hamlet and The Tempest next year)! – BOTB Student
BOTB 2015
When I looked at all those kids on stage, a feeling of great hope came over me. I thought about all that language, all that creativity and thought, all that discipline and focus, all that collaboration and conversation—and I thought: those young people have all that it takes to lead us through this century. – BOTB Teacher/Coach
Battle of the Bard 2014
