Acting Shakespeare

This advanced, intensive eight-week course enables you to deepen your understanding of Shakespeare's text through rehearsal and performance. You'll explore essential acting skills, text analysis and scene study under the guidance of RADA's expert tutors, extending the range of your work, uncovering tensions that block development and working on strategies to remove them.

During the first six weeks, you will have classes in physical performance, Alexander Technique, stage fighting, period dance, choral singing, voice, character in text, sonnets, monologues and scenes. Participants work in groups of approximately 14, and in smaller groups for some skills classes and workshops.

The course includes presentations, individual tutorials, and one to one feedback with your tutors. The course will culminate in a workshop production of a Shakespeare play in a RADA theatre space, rehearsed with your director throughout the final 10 days of the course. All presentations are in-house and not external showcase productions.

Classes are taught, and rehearsals conducted, by RADA tutors and distinguished directors and teachers from the profession. The course is not a casual undertaking: total commitment to punctuality, discipline and preparation is required from every participant.

What will I learn on this course?

• The tools to be able to handle Shakespearean text with confidence.
• The opportunity to apply those tools in presentation situations, developing both solo skills and ensemble work.
• An immersion in the Elizabethan world.

Entry requirements:

• Selection by audition. You must have previous experience of acting training at professional, graduate or undergraduate level. Please see the application form for more information.
• Participants must be over 18 and have fluent, confident use and knowledge of the English language.

Who is this course suitable for?

• Professional actors looking to learn, refine or refresh classical performance skills.
• Students from performing arts courses who seek further training in Shakespeare.
• Actors looking for a ‘workout’.

• Classes generally take place between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday. In the latter part of the course, some sessions each week may end at 8pm and extra rehearsals will take place on Saturdays. This course requires flexibility and participants must be available for all sessions. You will be provided with a detailed timetable on the first day.
• Classes are not optional; participants are expected to treat these as professional rehearsal calls.
• Punctuality is essential; a certificate stating the minimum number of contact hours is awarded on successful completion of the course.

Application

Please complete an application form at the link above. You will need to include your CV or resumé and a reference from either a tutor or director on your suitability to participate in this course. Applications are reviewed and offers are made on a rolling basis; there is no deadline for applications as such. We would therefore advise you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Auditions

Auditions are via self-tape; please submit links to your audition pieces within the application form. You should prepare two pieces from Shakespeare, neither of which should exceed three minutes in length. We will contact you to let you know whether or not you have been accepted onto the course. In some instances a waiting list place may be offered.