Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 December, 2024 12n-4p McCadden Place Theatre, Hollywood 90038 Contact: [email protected]
It is my belief that most American schools create a barrier to entry when it comes to the works of William Shakespeare. Let's break down those barriers.
This course is for the actor who desires to become more well-versed in Shakespeare's...... verse.
Our first exposure to Shakespeare usually comes in English class, and for the most part, at least in my experience, we were forced to read it at home, alone, to ourselves, then come into class and discuss it. This time-honored way of teaching Shakespeare's works made me feel like an unmitigated,uneducated,idioticschoolboy. Many actors I've spoken with still feel that they are either not well-read, well-educated, or well-bred if they don't understand Shakespeare easily. I want to change that.
In this two day workshop, we will:
Discuss why many people have a fear of Shakespeare and feel disheartened when approaching the work.
Demystify his language by discussing the theatrical world in which these plays were written, giving you a roadway toward a dauntless confidence.
Give practical and useful tools that will immediately make Shakespeare more accessible.
Work on soliloquies that you will be able to put into your repertoire of monologues for auditions.
THE SPECIFICS
Limited to 10 students
12n-4p, Sat/Sun 14 & 15 December, 2024
McCadden Place Theatre - 1157 N McCadden Pl, Hollywood 90038
A database of Shakespeare's soliloquies will be made available to you prior to our first day, but no advance preparation is required.
Armed with years of study, performance, and play with Shakespeare's work, I am here to show you that any actor can become enrapt by his work and invulnerable to their own doubts about their ability to understand and perform Shakespeare's plays.
I believe that Shakespeare is the easiest writer for the actor to play with. He gives you everything you need. But many actors I've worked with are simply intimidated by his language, and feel that it is beyond them. I truly believe that any English speaking actor can find their way beyond the myth and into the heart of his language.
This workshop will not be a sanctimoniouslove-letter to Shakespeare, but it will leapfrog you past barefaced doubt and into a fullheartedamazement at your own ability to not only comprehend, but to arouse a lustrous confidence within you.
A personal note:
I have been trained by some of the best Shakespeare scholars, directors, and teachers in the Country (including Dakin Matthews, Armin Shimerman, Ann Noble, Elizabeth Swain, and Dr. Ralph Cohen). Through these mentors, I have been intimidated, inspired, challenged, and changed.
Out of Shakespeare's 37 plays, I have worked on and performed in 28 of them. From Kings to Villains, Princes to Paupers, Servants to Soldiers, I have played in his worlds and with his words for most of my career. I have worked with Shakespeare outreach programs in prisons and colleges, and have coached numerous actors with their Shakespeare auditions. And through all of this, I truly believe that Shakespeare is not beyond anyone's abilities..
"Fun Fact": All the words I've bolded and italicized above, are words Shakespeare invented (or at least was the first one to first use in print). See? You already understand more than you thought you did.