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Three Students Travel to Rome for Shakespeare in Italy Program
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September 11, 2017
Photo courtesy of Joseph Almond
Three Frassati Catholic students had the opportunity to travel to Rome this summer as part of the Shakespeare in Italy program offered through the University of Dallas. Joseph Almond ’18, Amanda Heinzler ’18 , and Lana Broussard ’18 spent three weeks in Rome, Italy taking classes with University of Dallas faculty at the school’s Eugene Constantin Rome Campus at Due Santi.
The University of Dallas program aims to “stimulate a genuine interest in literature, art and theology, and to raise certain main issues that are prominent in these fields. By studying Shakespeare's texts thoroughly, and also seeing the very places that formed the settings, contexts, and cultural backgrounds for these plays we gain a greater awareness of our Western heritage and a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's art” (University of Dallas).
Through the program, students have the opportunity to study with University of Dallas professors from the English and Drama departments. They may also have the opportunity to earn three college credits in the process. While abroad, students studied three of Shakespeare’s Italian plays: Julius Caesar, The Merchant of Venice, and The Taming of the Shrew.
“I first found out about the program when Dr. Andrew Moran, the director of the program and one of our professors, came to our religion class,” said Broussard. “He was telling us about the three programs they offered: Latin in Rome, Rome and the Catholic Church, and Shakespeare in Italy. I was intrigued by studying abroad in Italy so I looked more into it and was fascinated with the Shakespeare program.”
Heinzler was drawn to the program because it was both an opportunity to delve more deeply into the works of Shakespeare and explore Rome.
“After reading Hamlet in AP English, I was intrigued by the idea of studying more Shakespeare, especially if it was going to be in Rome. I’ve always wanted to go to Rome because I love the history behind it all, but it was really Sister Anna Laura (AP English Faculty) that inspired me to apply for the trip.”
Classes as Frassati, specifically her AP English and AP Art History classes, helped Heinzler foster her interest in literature, art, and specifically, works by Shakespeare.
“Taking AP English really helped me to develop the writing skills that were extremely valuable on the trip. Sister Anna Laura also brought me back to my love of reading by encouraging me in my analysis and writing and by sharing her passion for the written word. Having that support from her really helped me improve in my literary skills.”
Photo courtesy of Joseph Almond (second from right)
Similarly, Broussard stressed the importance of her classes at Frassati Catholic for tackling the coursework.
“My English classes really prepped me for analyzing the text,” she said. “For our final paper, we had to create our own topic and we came up with them by asking questions throughout the text, which we did in our Socratic seminars. AP Art History was an essential for this trip. I knew the history and details about the great works that were there. I felt like I was able to appreciate them more because of my background studying them.”
Almond welcomed the opportunity to apply some of the skills learned through the Frassati Catholic curriculum at the university level.
“Frassati’s culture leads students into the analytical thinking that is required for a class like Shakespeare in Italy,” he said.
In addition to delving into works of Shakespeare, students had the opportunity to explore and learn about the city and its culture.
“Spending the evening and nights in the piazzas watching street performers, dancing, and experience Italian culture was an incredible experience,” said Almond.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Heinzler (right) with Lana Broussard.
For Heinzler, the art and architechture of Rome were highlights.
“It was so much fun for me to see all the art pieces that I had studied in AP Art History with Mrs. Palermo,” said Heinzler. “At the end of the program the professors gave everyone superlatives and I was named “Most Likely to Become an Art Historian” because I would nerd out and go on tangents about different art pieces that we had studied. One of my favorite spots we went to was the Scrovegni Chapel designed by Giotto in Padua.”
The students also had numerous opportunities to immerse themselves in the rich spiritual history of Italy, attending local Mass, visiting the Vatican, and traveling to different pilgrimage sites.
“When we visited Padua we had the opportunity to visit the St. Anthony Cathedral and go to a daily Mass in Italian. Of course I jumped at the chance to go because my home parish is St. Anthony of Padua. The church is absolutely beautiful and it was amazing to see St. Anthony’s grave and all his relics. The daily Mass we went to was one of my favorite experiences though. We always hear about how the Catholic Church is universal, but I don’t think it really sinks in until you go to a Mass that is in a different language than your own. It’s all the same and there is something so beautiful, so uniting, about reciting the Mass parts in your own tongue with others in a foreign place.”
What’s next for Broussard, Almond, and Heinzler? Broussard has plans to double major in Theatre and either English or Business in college. Almond is undecided about what he will study in college, but stressed the importance of the valuable communications skills he gained through the program.
“No matter what I do, communication is essential. This program taught me how to write and communicate effectively, which is a skill that is in high demand in every field.”
Heinzler plans to study English and possibly Political Science, and said she benefited immensely from the experience.
“The program has immensely helped to improve my analytical and writing skills which will of course be extremely important for any English major. I’m really excited to continue learning about literature.”
Learn more about the Shakespeare in Italy program here.
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About Frassati Catholic High School: Founded in 2013, Frassati Catholic High School serves the families and parishes in the north Houston area of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Administered by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation from Nashville, TN, Frassati Catholic High School prepares students to walk on the path of true happiness through a robust college-preparatory curriculum rooted in the Catholic faith. The school currently serves students in grades 9-12. For more information about Frassati Catholic High School, contact Kyle Smith, director of communications, at 832-616-3227.
