Macbeth is a great leveler | James Erskine | TEDxYangon HD

James Erskine teaches Shakespeare to kids. In one production, over 200 children from radically different family backgrounds - children of expat professionals, wealthy locals mixed with those from orphanages and monastic schools - performed Macbeth at the National Theatre in Yangon. James energetically shares how creativity is a common human capability that creates lasting benefit. James Erskine used to work as a producer for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, touring the works of Shakespeare to over 20 countries. In 2012 James moved to Myanmar and immediately fell in love with the country. He continued to share his passion for theatre setting up Shakespeare Schools to deliver drama classes and produce performances. At the end of 2013 he had the opportunity to create a youth production of Macbeth with 250 children from diverse backgrounds. Since then he has continued to create projects that bring together people from disparate strata of society. He works regularly with a network of international schools, monastery schools, orphanages and education charities from around Yangon. Shakespeare Schools’ receives no funding. Income generated from the classes at international schools subsidises the work with monastery schools and orphanages. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx