Today we study Shakespeare in school and often see his plays in formal settings, but is that how they were meant to be experienced? Learn more about what going to see a play was really like when Shakespeare’s theater company put them on stage for the first time.
British soldiers sang “Yankee Doodle” to mock the Americans, who eventually turned the song into a source of pride and anthem of their own.
Have you ever read a story and thought it sounded familiar? Well some of your favorite stories may be older than you think!
Read about how horror builds resilience in people by providing a safe avenue for facing fear. Consider these benefits the next time you watch a horror movie or play a frightful game.
Some of the words and phrases we use everyday were invented by Shakespeare! Learn about the history of these words and the plays that debuted them.
M.C. Escher was a Dutch graphic designer known for his innovative optical illusions, impossible drawings, and transforming tessellations, or interlocking tiles that slowly morphed from images like squares to fish to birds and back again. This video is from an exhibition of Escher’s art, which is no longer on display, but it nicely summarizes both his distinctive style and his continuing impact on popular culture.
Many modern video games include a list of achievements that players can earn as they play. These trophies often reward the player for taking actions beyond the normal plot or path of the basic story. For some, achievements reward creative gameplay, add replayability, and encourage exploration. For others, they are annoying, repetitive distractions that artificially make a game seem bigger or more complex than it is. What do you think? Do achievements make games feel more or less enjoyable?
Though countless music fans around the world celebrate the work of composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, there are still many who have never heard of him. Learn about his impressive music career and the movement to keep his legacy alive.
| Lights, camera, action! Imagine turning your bedroom into a concert stage and teaching yourself to play piano. Meet Ana Castillo, a senior from San Antonio who did just that. |
Halloween is a celebrated each year on October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Learn more about the myths and legends surrounding this festival of frights by clicking this link.
