Greetings from Robert Clover-Brown (Mr. CB) formerly known as “Shakespeare Man” – holder of a Master of Arts degree in History from Cambridge University (MA); a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (FCA); an experienced actor and touring teaching artist, and an American Citizen since June 2006!
Mixed into those specifics is an AP-level education in French and German at school in England, and numerous, extensive road trips across the English Channel to experience the rich diversity of both countries in person – only once venturing into the “Chunnel” below the water. So teaching a year-long French 1 (Beginners) class and French 2 (Intermediates) class, is a real pleasure.
A FCA in England holds an equivalent business qualification to an American CPA, and for many years part of my brain was devoted to pursuing an entrepreneurial career as CFO for a diverse mix of corporations, and an investor. Teaching a one semester class in fall or spring – using Abeka’s “Economics: Work & Prosperity in a Christian Perspective” as our text book – is an enjoyably relevant experience.
Another part of my brain has been devoted, also for many years, to working in theatre, on and off stage, and on camera – being featured in TV commercials and in print advertising. My Central London agents were flatteringly called the Ugly Agency and several of my commissions involved portraying Shakespeare, in full costume.
Following a move with my family from London to Dallas in 2002, I have again been featured in TV commercials and print advertising; taught drama and AP European History, coached upper school actors at two private schools; devised workshop productions for performance by secondary school students; written and performed a teacher training DVD for Dallas Opera’s Education Dept., and worked as a consultant for CNM’s IMPACT Project for Performing Arts.
I have also created and taught after-school acting classes (5th grade, MS and HS) at the Dallas International School in Richardson – which follows the French curriculum – and the Anderson Private School in west Fort Worth.
As a touring teaching artist I created, wrote and performed a wide variety of “Shakespeare Man” programs in my one-man role as William Shakespeare, for local theatres, schools, libraries and adult groups across Texas and far beyond, including the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washinton DC.
A live appearance, in my Shakespeare costume on WFAA Good Morning Texas, sandwiched between two rap artists and Father Christmas with his reindeer, was intriguing and eye-opening!
While on tour, as Robert Clover-Brown I offered “Insider’s insights into English literature and history,” which drew on my lifelong fascination with, and study of, European literature and culture; made in-depth presentations about Shakespeare’s life; taught drama classes, and coached student actors.
Among many great novelists, poets and dramatists within the European Literary Canon – in addition to Shakespeare, as implied above – I am particularly drawn to the life and work of Austen, Cervantes, Chekhov, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Ibsen, Mansfield, Stoppard and Woolf.
I therefore feel especially blessed to be creating and teaching classes at THEO which, in addition to those mentioned above, include HS European Literature (including Shakespeare); JH Literature in Action – both year-long. I would also love to revive HS Literature in Action (year-long) and Storyboarding: Illustrating literature for grades 6-8 (one semester)
My year-long performance-based acting classes comprise Acting 1, 2 and 3. Their dress rehearsals and performances in Spring 2024 and both semesters in 2024/2025 will again be located at The Core Theatre in Richardson – an ideal small theatre for our students, their families and their friends.
For students who are eager to interact with creatively minded colleagues, but may not wish to take on a full acting commitment (or to learn lines!) the year-long Improvisational Theatre class (grades 6-12) has proved to be ideal.
For younger students (grades 4-6) my year-long Introduction to Acting & Stagecraft class is a great opportunity for them to learn acting basics, including age-appropriate line learning and kind, collaborative team work, and to enjoy performing at the end of each semester in my room at THEO.
I remain keen to continue THEO’s very successful involvement in the English Speaking Union’s (ESU) Shakespeare Monologue Contest for HS actors. Our representatives at ESU’s branch contests in 2020 and 2021 placed FIRST, amidst large groups of talented young actors from state and private schools. So it was all the more sad that both actors’ wonderful prize, an expenses paid trip to the National Finals in New York, was cancelled due to covid. However, at the moment ESU do not have a branch organizer in our area and their DFW contests have lapsed.
My American-born wife and I are members of HPUMC, where we were married in 1994. After teaching PreK/ECSE for 13 years around Dallas, Lesley decided to switch to elementary art in Richardson ISD for the 2023-4 school year.
Our daughter is currently a Senior Resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (ranked #1 childrens’ hospital by US News & World Report for 2023-4), and will be continuing there with a Fellowship in the Pediatric ICU in June.
Our son is an Audio Engineer at a state-of-the-art music studio near Austin. He also plays the keyboard in a nationally recognized band – Briscoe (folk rock genre). My oldest son is married, living and working in technology near Northampton, MA. They are the proud parents of my two grandsons, ages 7 and 1.
In previous years, I have volunteered for Night Owls and Jesters (now Spotlight) at HPUMC, which offer remarkable special needs programs, including theatre.
______________________
Mr. Clover-Brown has some lively videos for you to view. Click on the title to view.
______________________
Welcome
Acting
Economics
European Lit
French
Improvisational Theatre
Literature in Action
Spiritual Values in Shakespeare
Storyboarding