Post #1, Taylor Hebert

After much careful deliberation, I have decided to complete my Service Learning for Early Shakespeare at Bridge House/ Grace House in Mid-City. I weighed my options carefully, and there were many things to take into account. I have service learning for two classes this semester, so I needed something that offered a chance to work large chunks of hours. Also, my rehearsal schedule was demanding, and I had to find somewhere that’d be open on the weekends. I needed to volunteer for an agency that filled requirements for both classes, and that was easy to get to because of transportation restraints. Above all, the work of the agency had to be something that I was passionate about. This all sounds quite selfish for a service learning placement, but unfortunately as a busy college student, I had to take these things into account. My two other choices were Hagar’s House, and Project Lazarus, but for some reason or another, they fell short on one of the “criteria” above.

            Alcoholism and substance abuse issues run rampant in my family, so I take the work of Bridge House very seriously. My biggest hope for my service-learning placement though is that I will connect with people from New Orleans. I will meet them as people, and not drug addicts/alcoholics. And I want to learn about people and their stories. I will be working in the Grace House Thrift Store, and will be working alongside both the staff of Bridge House, and alumni of the program. In this way, I will be supporting a great organization, and meeting all sorts of new people.

            I am not quite sure yet how this placement will help me in reading Shakespeare’s literary texts and understanding Shakespeare in general. Because I know I’m not just going out there to find a Dromio, Kate, or alcoholic Falstaff. But I know that Shakespeare wrote about humans in all different stages of personal development. And Bridge House is all about bettering oneself and one’s life. And I think that this will connect to Shakespeare’s work well. I also take this opportunity for me to grow as a person. I remember reading Midsummer Night’s Dream in 8^th grade and just thinking how quaint it was, and it stimulated my imagination. This was a good starting point for my love of Shakespeare, but I know that then I was an immature reader. The more we learn, and the more we live, the better one can tackle any text and draw connections. I specifically will use this experience as insight to Shakespeare’s social inquiry and commentary. As for relating it to the art, I’m not quite sure. But all I know is that I’m very excited to get started on this project and to watch and see where this service learning placement will take me.