Engaging others with Shakespeare - Being a Shakespeare Ambassador

Ellie tells us about being a Shakespeare Ambassador through her secondary school years

The first experience I had of taking Shakespeare off the page and into real life was taking part in Playmaking Festival, Romeo and Juliet at Salts Mill in Saltaire. I was enchanted, inspired, and hooked. It brought to life something I had previously considered too difficult, and I was overjoyed to be offered the opportunity to share that with others by being a Shakespeare Ambassador.

Ellie, Shakespeare Ambassador

We break down the perceived barriers to Shakespeare so others can be just as enchanted, inspired and hooked as I was.

If I had to narrow down the role of a Shakespeare Ambassador, I would say – we break down the perceived barriers to Shakespeare so others can be just as enchanted, inspired and hooked as I was that day. To do this, an ambassador must be open to challenging preconceived ideas about Shakespeare and be creative in how they craft new initiatives to reach out to their peers. They open a world of possibilities to those they meet and help continue the four-hundred-year legacy of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, writer of all time.


Shakespeare Ambassador, Ellie
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Through the Shakespeare Ambassadorship I have been privileged to take part in so many activities that when asked to choose a highlight it is almost impossible. It has been an honour, and every moment has helped and will help the person I become as I grow. One occasion was leading Shakespeare themed open evening activities, where primary school children burst into peels of laughter shouting out Shakespearean insults and parents had their perceptions of Shakespeare challenged by joining in with acting challenges with full enthusiasm. There is a special joy in watching someone’s eyes light up when they encounter Shakespeare in a way that resonates with them for the first time and something I have been so lucky to be able to be a part of.

It has brought me closer to many of my peers and other Ambassadors. I have fond memories of rehearsing a small Shakespeare themed comedy sketch that we wrote, which we still talk and laugh about years later. Workshops with other Ambassadors in the Bradford cluster are not only enjoyable trips to share ideas and meet other individuals who share my love for Shakespeare and the arts, but chances to build on my confidence, communication skills, and creativity. Being a Shakespeare Ambassador has helped me to become a confident young leader.

The programme has also challenged me. I took part in a Shakespeare and Race workshop that made me consider racism, acceptance and see other people’s viewpoint on why Shakespeare’s works can be so controversial and how we must respond to issues raised in the text when we look at them today.


I know that the invaluable skills I have learnt from my time as an ambassador will take me far

I have improved my communication skills by learning to be relatable, using an engaging tone and the right body language, as well as improving my literacy skills by creating coherent messages for other students as part of advertising events. I know that the invaluable skills I have learnt from my time as an ambassador will take me far in life. I can already see how these skills will help me with university interviews, academic papers and managing future projects. I know that who I become will be largely due to my experiences with the RSC. It is something that will forever be part of me and something I will forever be grateful for. 

Get inspired by other Ambassadors around the country - Shakespeare Ambassadors. If you want to find out more about becoming a Shakespeare Ambassador in our Associate Schools or how to advocate for the arts and Shakespeare in your own community contact shakespeareambassadors@rsc.org.uk

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