American Friends supports the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (“SBT”) in programs and projects to preserve Shakespeare’s heritage in Stratford-upon-Avon, U. K. We seek to enhance educational opportunities for American students and faculty to study in the birthplace of William Shakespeare with the world’s preeminent scholars.

American Friends’ primary objective is to work with schools and organizations in the United States to promote studies in Shakespeare’s life, work and times. Since 1999, American Friends has enabled 28 undergraduate and graduate students to study at The Shakespeare Centre and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT), Stratford-upon-Avon, U. K.

Our aim is to expand the program and introduce American high school students to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust where they will learn about Shakespeare’s works, visit the area where he and his family lived, and become familiar with the bard through first hand knowledge of text and stage. Since Lakeside School, Seattle, WA launched our high school program in 2010, 84 students participated in a Shakespeare Course in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.