On January 12, Upper School students in Dr. Harding’s Shakespeare Honors Seminar and Mx. Viñas’s Public Speaking class welcomed playwright Jessica Huang for a discussion about Shakespearean adaptation and contemporary playwriting.

Ms. Huang shared her background and professional experiences in playwriting, adaptation, collaboration, and the development of new theatrical works. Ms. Huang described the creative process behind reimagining classical material for contemporary audiences. She then gave examples from her current project of adapting 10 Things I Hate About You, a modern retelling of The Taming of the Shrew, for a planned 2027 production on Broadway. She also led a script reading that provided students insight into professional adaptation and production practices. 

Students asked a range of questions about careers in theater, the challenges inherent in adaptation, and the continued relevance of Shakespeare’s work today. Ms. Huang offered insight into the realities of creative partnerships, the evolution of a script from concept to stage, and the importance of flexibility, curiosity, and openness throughout the writing process.

Thank you to Ms. Huang for an informative and engaging discussion.