Shakespeare for Actors
Ever since my father took me to see the famous Peter Brook production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream when I was seven, I have been in love with Shakespeare. I have performed in that play three times and many others, directed “orginal practices” productions of his plays, and the first acting class I ever taught was called “Shakespeare: No Attitude” in 1991. Come and explore the “brave new world” of his plays with me, and rise to the challenge his plays present to all actors!
I have over thirty years experience teaching acting and improvisation. I have an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, where the second year of my training was exclusively focused on Shakespeare. This class will cover the foundational skills needed to perform Shakespeare with sensitivity, intelligence and courage. Some of my experience with Shakespeare includes producing, directing and starring in a production of Hamlet, playing Angelo in Measure for Measure, Macbeth in Macbeth, Katerina in Taming of the Shrew, and in different productions, Oberon, Theseus, Lysander and Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, plus many others! Class will cover:
understanding how Shakespeare and his company approached performance.
learning how to use textual notes to understand vocabulary, imagery and ideas.
connecting to words as sounds, and using the sounds of language to inform and propel your performance.
text analysis covering scansion, and poetic vs. prosaic passages.
application of modern acting techniques to Elizabethan drama.
Want to study with Ben? Send him an email - click here!
