Book excerpt: Stage It provides a simple-to-follow roadmap for teachers to help students dive into the dramatic, romantic, and playful world of Shakespeare. Originating from the highly successful NYC-based arts education program, Stages of Learning, this resource enables your drama, arts, or ELA class to learn the basics of Shakespeare's language, themes, characters, introductory staging, and directing. Designed for busy teachers, Stage It enables you to choose your own adventure depending on time, grade level collaboration, and student interest. This professional teacher’s guide has simple-to-use instructions and worksheets, such as acting tools for instruction about the plot synopsis, cast of characters, and paraphrasing; and directing tools for tips about the play and the theater-making process. Accompanying the book online are abridged versions of four of Shakespeare’s well-known plays: Hamlet, Henry V, Julius Caesar, and Othello, as well as paraphrasing worksheets, a culminating performance program template, and more. Stage It meets or exceeds many standards-based frameworks including New York State Learning Standards in the Arts, benchmarks of the New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts K-12: Theater, the U.S. Common Core/State Standards, and National Arts Standards. Teachers of students aged 9–12, as well as educators in after-school or community programs, can foster a deep connection to the material through a gradual process that engages everyone in the classroom. This approach not only brings Shakespeare's timeless stories to life but also cultivates essential skills like public speaking, teamwork, and self-expression for students of all identities. For more information on Floyd Rumohr and the book, visit www.stageitplays.com.