Homeschooling Shakespeare: The Magic of Backyard Theater

Can Shakespeare come alive in your backyard?

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Kaitlin Zara talks with Mary Ellen Barrett, founder of the Front Lawn Players—a homeschool theater troupe that performed Shakespeare plays on backyards for 14 years.

From handmade costumes and thrifted sets to children memorizing complex scripts and growing in confidence, Mary Ellen shares how homemade theater became a transformative educational and spiritual experience for her family and community. She offers practical advice for homeschool moms who want to incorporate drama into their learning, without needing Broadway budgets or perfect homes.

You’ll be inspired to embrace creativity, community, and even a little chaos for the sake of something beautiful.

Sponsor

Thank you to our sponsor: Franciscan University of Steubenville At Franciscan University, students live the truth of the Gospel in a vibrant Catholic community that unites faith and reason in every major. Twenty percent of Franciscan students come from a homeschool background! High school juniors and seniors can also earn college credit online through Franciscan’s dual enrollment program.

About Our Guest: Mary Ellen Barrett

Mary Ellen Barrett is a homeschooling mother from Long Island and a founder of the Front Lawn Players, a backyard Shakespeare troupe that performed 14 plays over 14 years.

Mary Ellen also serves as the Chairman of the Board at Seton Home Study School, editor at Seton Magazine, and podcaster at Stay at Homeschooling Moms

Follow Mary Ellen on Substack: https://maryellenbarrett.substack.com/

Explore Homeschool Connections’ online Shakespeare courses.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How six homeschool moms started performing Shakespeare on their front lawns.

• Why seeing and hearing Shakespeare first makes it accessible to kids.

• The difference between reading Shakespeare and performing it.

• How performance builds confidence and lifelong public speaking skills.

• The interdisciplinary power of theater (literature, history, math, art, music).

• Creating elaborate productions on a homeschool schedule.

• Why May became “Shakespeare season” in their homes.

• Hosting public backyard performances (and even performing at Westbury Gardens!).

• The deep community formed among the moms and families.

• The powerful story of Mary Ellen’s son Ryan and the gift of acceptance through theater.

• Making space for neurodivergent and differently-abled children in creative work.

• Letting go of perfection (yes—even the sticky kitchen floor).

• Practical advice for starting your own homeschool theater group.

Key Takeaways

1. Start Small

Begin with simple costumes, a backyard, and a short play. Grow gradually each year.

2. Performance Makes Shakespeare Click

Watch it. Hear it. Experience it. Once children see it performed, the language becomes accessible.

3. Theater Builds More Than Academic Skills

Drama fosters poise, moral imagination, confidence, friendship, and belonging.

4. Play to Your Strengths

Sew, cook, build, direct, organize—every mom can contribute in her own way.

5. Community Changes Everything

The Front Lawn Players wasn’t just about Shakespeare—it created lifelong friendships for moms and children alike

Encouragement for Homeschool Moms

You don’t need a stage. You don’t need perfection. You don’t need a spotless house.

You do need creativity, courage, and community.

As Mary Ellen beautifully reminds us, no one will remember the messy kitchen floor—but your children will remember the magic you created together.

To discover more support for your Catholic homeschool adventure, here are some valuable resources for you:

• Catholic Homeschool Blog
• Catholic Homeschool Podcast

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together!