This is what Readers say!

Helene

This is Shakespeare as it was never taught to me in school.  A consummate scholar as well as a gifted facilitator of the close reading group, Robin not only educates, but also, she fosters a community that is welcoming, serious, lively, joyful, and just plain fun. By encouraging and valuing every reader’s individual interpretation in an atmosphere of mutual respect, she has rekindled my love of Shakespeare and given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the plays’ profundities and ambiguities, their wisdom and wit, and the beauty of their language.

Bernadette

Beyond the benefits that I personally gain from being in a close-knit group of like minds, building these relationships year-by-year, and being intellectually stimulated by puzzling out the meanings of dense passages of prose and poetry, we also debate the emotional and social impacts of Shakespeare's plays, both in his time and ours. By enthusiastically engaging in discussions and debates, I believe we have an impact on the wider community. By actively discussing Love, War, Rebellion, Fate, and so on, our town is made stronger, wiser, and more compassionate.

Kristin

The point is that anyone can read Shakespeare. But, it doesn’t take very long before you feel like you are in the company of experts—and that you are becoming an expert yourself. It’s like joining a group of international scholars to discuss a common text, but we don’t use academese or over-complicate things. Just normal people exploring the text together using common language. I wish I could go more often. It’s like a two-hour fix for my intellectual well-being.

Annabel Leventon

I was enthralled, Robin. I don't know how long the group has been working with you, but it was about the most absorbing two hours I've spent. I've always said Americans handle Shakespeare better than the English, who seem inhibited by it, have no sense of rhythm or grandeur, can't get inside the text far enough to have it change their lives. But Americans can and do. And your bunch could deliver the lines thoughtfully, slowly, really exploring the text for its own sake, make sense of the meter, the words, catch the imagery, and had a field day with interpretation. It was just wonderful. The kind of exploration you only occasionally get in a production with a fine director and weeks and weeks of rehearsal. Thank you so much for letting me join. I was honoured. More please.

Jim

Best discussion and commentary about Shakespeare I’ve ever had! Can’t say enough about the facilitator and her support folks in making this a fascinating two hours. Looking for more!

Stuart

I agree completely with Jim and Donna: Robin Williams is indeed a flawless “facilitator”—she has the talent and experience to make the meetings appear to be a discussion among old friends. It helps that the old friends are polite, but not too polite.

KB

Listening to people ask questions and trying to puzzle out answers together is the antidote for our polarized public discourse.

Lisa

Robin, I think you need to know that I think you are a gifted facilitator. You create a wonderfully safe place where people can express their opinion, but you set a tone of respect that keeps the dialogue meaningful and productive. I love that and the Close Reading groups are the highlight of my week!

Jim

These sessions keep getting better and better! I have a degree in English and never read Shakespeare so closely. The facilitator/ moderator is encouraging, insightful, and knows how to get the most from the participants. Sorry I missed other plays she moderated.