Sophomore legal studies major Gaelle Ligonde has always been a bit shy when it comes to participating in class. But after spending last semester as a quiet member of her Shakespeare class, Ligonde is starting to speak up.

Combined with her interest in theater and her surprise that no outlet for a Shakespeare-only theater troupe existed at Ithaca College, Ligonde formed IC Shakespeare, a club to discuss and perform sonnets and plays in a pressure-free, comfortable environment.

“I’m normally a really vocal person, but in classes I’m afraid to speak,” Ligonde said. “Shakespeare is something I really like, but I’m always afraid to voice my opinions because everyone is so smart, and I don’t want to sound like an idiot.”

After forming a board of officers, the club formed IC Shakespeare and held its first meeting April 14 in Williams 225.

Having a passion for Shakespeare, junior Alex Zenn, secretary of the club, said she hopes to bring an appreciation of Shakespeare’s incredible style to the campus.

“I love the way he illustrates people,” Zenn said. “He’s one of the first people to really develop character. The way he does it with his beautiful language captures everything about theater that I love.”

From film screenings and themed lectures to discussions and a skit-writing workshop, IC Shakespeare has many goals for next semester. They will perform two shows next semester, with plans to begin auditions and production of “The Taming of the Shrew” in the fall.

In addition to directing performances, the club hopes to hold meetings and roundtable conversations to dissect Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets.

Jenna Grossman, a junior drama major and member of IC Shakespeare, said anyone can interpret and find meaning in Shakespeare’s works.

“A lot of times Shakespeare is seen as something that is so elitist and lofty and academic, but Shakespeare wrote his plays for the common people,” Grossman said. “It’s great that the main focus for this is so everyone can get something out of it and appreciate it.”

Ligonde said anyone can relate to Shakespeare’s universal themes and that this inspires her love for the 446-year-old playwright.

“The language is a little dicey, and not everybody understands it,” Ligonde said. “But everyone always understands the underlying themes if [they are] presented in the right way.”

Most of all, Ligonde said understanding and appreciating Shakespeare in a fun environment is most important to the new club.

“People quit too easily when it comes to Shakespeare,” Ligonde said. “If you try, you can learn it. It’s hard, but if you’re really into it and you really want to learn about it, you can. That’s what this is about. I don’t care how much you know about Shakespeare — come join us. Come learn.”