Why learn Shakespeare? Do you enjoy Bridgerton or Pride & Prejudice? They use a form of heightened language. Are you thinking about auditioning for a college theatre program? They'll want to see a Shakespearean monologue. Are you interested in pursuing acting professionally? Being cast-able by classical theatre companies will get you more work. Do you want to be the best actor you can be? Versatility and craft is everything.

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Over these 8 weeks, actors will receive a thorough introduction to the various tools and techniques used to approach Shakespearean text. Time will be spent investigating iambic pentameter, verse vs. prose, rhetoric, imagery, and more. Actors will use cue sheets, explore how language reveals emotion, and how to connect with incredible characters who were written over 400 years ago. We will begin exploring through scene work and make time in the final weeks to work on soliloquies.

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Even though our focus is Shakespeare, this will be run like an LA-style acting class. Actors are expected to meet a minimum of 1x/week outside of class to rehearse, get off-book on scenes and soliloquies, and read their assigned plays. Actors will spend the majority of the class working on scenes, but we will touch on soliloquies which are unique to Shakespeare in the latter weeks of class. The skills introduced in this class will be expanded upon in Fall's Acting Shakespeare II session.

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Good acting requires truth and vulnerability. This is an inclusive environment, open all individuals who love the art of acting and want to grow as artists. All are welcome and will be respected. Any student who violates this respectful environment will be removed from class.