Battle Of The Bard®
Battle of the Bard® (BOTB) is a year-long festival of Shakespeare slam events open to high school students across the Chicago area. Founded by CYS in 2013, Battle of the Bard is designed to cross boundaries—of geography, cultures and experience — bringing students together through performance, team spirit, and friendly competition. Partnerships with local arts organizations such as the Backroom Shakespeare Project, The English Speaking Union, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, have helped grow the festival to reach hundreds of students from more than 50 public, private, and parochial high schools. Building a community that spans the Chicago region, Battle of the Bard® celebrates Shakespeare’s capacity to speak to all.
In the spring of 2017, CYS launched a Battle of the Bard “Remix”, taking the program in a bold new direction, including work with some of Chicago’s most innovative youth and literary organizations, and a new series of workshops, open-mic nights, and slam-style performance showcases.
In the spring of 2017, CYS launched a Battle of the Bard “Remix”, taking the program in a bold new direction, including work with some of Chicago’s most innovative youth and literary organizations, and a new series of workshops, open-mic nights, and slam-style performance showcases.
2017 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
