Since Me and Orson Welles was written by Robert Kaplow, a New Jersey English teacher, and concerns a fictional student who discovers the world of the lively arts in 1937 New York, it’s only fitting that the movie will become a subject in classroom discussions.
To this end, Film Education in the UK has put together a marvelous study guide for Me and Orson Welles that explores in great detail the historical background of the film and the myriad of different ideas it contains.
As their website explains:
It features study materials and film clips designed to stimulate debate, discussion and reflection on Orson Welles, Shakespeare, performance, theatrical production and filmmaking.
The study guide addresses core elements of learning in English, Media, Film and Theatre Studies. The materials are most suitable for students aged 14-18.
You can download the study guide HERE.
In America The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) has also put out a statement for teachers about Me and Orson Welles:
As a film that tells the story of the process of opening a show, Me and Orson Welles will be of particular interest to English and theatre students as well as educators who are well-acquainted with this exhausting, but profoundly gratifying process. Because Mr. Linklater and the film’s producers intend for this movie to be an exploration of theatre history, Shakespearean drama and the theatrical work of Orson Welles, as well as all that is learned in the process of producing a show, a study guide has been developed and will be made available to educators free of charge. The study guide will provide educators and their students with a way to use Me and Orson Welles as a tool to study these important aspects of the film, as well as a springboard to study the history and context in which the film’s story is told.
The producers plan for the study guide to be available in time for the film’s New York City and Los Angeles release on November 25.
(Unfortunately, I haven’t found the link to their study guide yet, but will add it when I do.)
In the meantime, EdTA’s online site has an article by Jeffrey Sweet which contains some great photos of Orson Welles. It is entitled: Orson Welles: Finding New Ways to tell the Story.
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In addition to the study guide, the producers of Me and Orson Welles are extending another valuable opportunity to New York theatre programs. The film is partnering with Fandango, the movie ticketing website, to give New York educators a fund raising option in connection with the film. Each participating school is assigned a unique code. Then, they invite their supporters to purchase tickets to Me and Orson Welles at www.Fandango.com using the school’s unique code at the time of ticket purchase. For each ticket sold, Fandango.com will return to the school $1.00.
Teachers and educators who wish to participate in this program can do so by sending an e-mail to:
MeandOrsonWelles.tickets@gmail.com