This Hamlet Teacher Handbook is your essential classroom companion for teaching Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, developed with educators, theater artists, and scholars.
JAN 31–FEB 28, 2026
Lead Student Matinee Sponsor
JAN 31–FEB 28, 2026
Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Edward Hall and Roger Warren
Directed by Edward Hall
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
Short Shakespeare!
Hamlet
Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Edward Hall and Roger Warren
Directed by Edward Hall
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
Run Time: Approximately 75 minutes (no intermission)
Audience Notice: Contains violence, including depictions of death & references to suicide. The staging also features prop weaponry (including a prop firearm which is not fired), flashing lights, & haze effects. If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Lead Student Matinee Sponsor:
Associate Student Matinee Sponsor: The Segal Family Foundation Student Matinee Fund
All of the betrayal, passion, and poetry of Shakespeare’s most famous play—distilled into just 75 minutes.
Reeling from grief, the young Prince of Denmark navigates the loss of his father, his mother’s betrayal, and relationships torn apart. Starring Chicago favorite Jaylon Muchison in the title role and featuring a talented ensemble of seven actors, the production poses the big questions: What is right? What is wrong? To be… or not to be? This original and accessible adaptation directed by CST Artistic Director Edward Hall brings new clarity to the timeless classic, offering a chance for audiences to see themselves reflected through the 400-year-old story. Plus, every performance includes a post-show conversation with the cast to give you an insider’s perspective into bringing the story to the stage!
In addition to public performances on Saturdays, this production will reach 20,000 young people during weekday student matinees as part of CST’s award-winning education programming, which serves more students and teachers than any theater in Chicago.
Run Time: Approximately 75 minutes (no intermission)
Audience Notice: Contains violence, including depictions of death & references to suicide. The staging also features prop weaponry (including a prop firearm which is not fired), flashing lights, & haze effects. If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Lead Student Matinee Sponsor:
Associate Student Matinee Sponsor: The Segal Family Foundation Student Matinee Fund
FEB 21 Open Captioning
FEB 21 ASL Interpretation
Artists
Roger Warren
Adapter
Spotlight
Hamlet Teacher Handbook 2026
Short Shakespeare! Student Matinees
Short Shakespeare! is our broadest-reaching program, providing an accessible live theater experience for nearly 20,000 students across the region. Student matinees available Jan 27-Feb 27.
Teacher Resources
From pre-show writing prompts to hands-on activities, this guide offers discussion questions, drama-based strategies, and reading activities for students inspired by the production.
Lead Student Matinee Sponsor
Associate Student Matinee Sponsor
The Segal Family Foundation Student Matinee Fund