"Nick Weber's Shakespeare with Hearing Aids describes his experience directing "Shakespeare Just for Fun" study groups in two Milwaukee retirement homes. He introduces the group members, describing their questions and reactions as they join together for dramatic readings of the major tragedies and comedies. Drawing upon his extensive teaching and performing experience, Weber shows "Shakespeare's power in manipulating our imaginations," with insights about character, imagery, and poetry woven together with a warmhearted commentary on the group experience." Diane Dreher, PhD, Santa Clara University

“This is a work of humor, vulnerability and respect. A writer, a teacher, and a band of merry elders meet and know firsthand some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, their loves and losses, their festivities and funerals, and then allow these renaissance men and women to awaken in us the similar moments of our own lives, past and present.”

Dr. Michael Mansfield
Faculty, University of California, Berkeley
Dept. of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies
Education Director, Aurora Theatre Company, Berkeley

“‘The book might just be a dare,’ Weber writes, a sly line for a spry book that is daring in every good way, particularly in its extraordinary celebration of close reading, which in these pages means two beautifully complementary things: smart textual analysis informed by a born performer's eye (and ear); and smart performers, who grow close to Weber, each other and Shakespeare while reading the plays. I dare you not to be moved.”
Liam Callanan, Author, The Cloud Atlas, All Saints

“Nick Weber's Shakespeare with Hearing Aids should be on the bookshelf of every teacher graced with the opportunity to teach the Bard's greatest works to others. The book weaves together moving personal stories of his reading the plays with groups of retirees and his astute critical observations about those works, their composition and their performance.”

Tim Curdt, English Instructor, St. Louis University High School

“The most fascinating elements of this book emerge from the constant interaction of student and text, itself a mirror of Shakespeare’s own twin senses of an audience in a theater and theater in an audience. Self-recognition--the author’s, the elders’ in the classes, and even Shakespeare’s--drives the book.”

Bruce Stark, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Current Shakespeare Lecturer, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

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