This letter is in support of Suzanne Rubinstein and Young Shakespeare Players East (YSPE). Suzanne has done an incredibly wonderful job inspiring children to perform full-length productions of Shakespeare plays, putting in countless hours of rehearsal with dedication, spirit and kindness toward these young performers.
The children come away from the experience with not only a deep understanding of the particular work of Shakespeare they are learning, but a new-found respect for their fellow performers and, most importantly, themselves. The end result is truly inspirational and a very meaningful accomplishment in their young lives which will provide them with added confidence in their adult lives.
It is regrettable that the organization is under pressure, having received negative press as a result of one or two disgruntled parents whose children have food allergies. It seems reasonable that, while being trained in the use of an epi-pen and attempting to provide a safe, allergy-free atmosphere for those participants with severe food allergies, that Suzanne would be uncomfortable providing a 100 percent guarantee that the program could not be 100 percent nut-free and that she could not guarantee 100 percent vigilance for these allergy prone children, and, therefore, would require all parents, including those in question, to sign a release form.
I hope the differences can be worked out amicably as the YSPE program is too important to these young children, including those with severe allergy problems, to lose this acting platform on which to learn and grow.
Stephen Worth
father of Charlotte (Sebastian in The Tempest and Paris in Romeo and Juliet)
Ashfield