What you'll learn

Learn unique methodology to access the text of Shakespeare's plays and perform it
Watch how actors use these tools live in the rehearsal room
Acquire acting tools to apply to Shakespeare's words and perform it successfully
Familiarize yourself with a variety of texts from monologues, prologue, chorus sections, to dialogue in scenework
Listen to an award-winning actor, who taught this course for over 20 years at Yale's David Geffen School of Drama
Boost your confidence and ease in Performing Shakespeare

Course content

6 sections • 11 lectures • 3h 40m total length

Introduction2:30
Welcome to Performing Shakespeare! Meet your instructor, Peter Francis James, and get a quick look at the world of Shakespeare's text before diving in.
Methodology: Tools, Not Rules32:41
Together with instructor Peter Francis James, we look at a set of over 20 key ideas that can be employed to unlock the text of Shakespeare for its performance.

Tools at Work: Sonnet #130 (Part One)20:05
Though not written as a performative text, many of the tools discussed in the previous section could be easily demonstrated at work in this short, 14 line sonnet.
Tools at Work: Sonnet #130 (Part Two)21:46
Though not written as a performative text, many of the tools discussed in the previous section could be easily demonstrated at work in this short, 14 line sonnet.

Section 3, Chorus Prologue from Henry V, Part One28:01
Learn how to apply tools and tackle various single-person text types, starting with chorus verse, moving through prologues, and ending with epilogues.
Section 3: Continued Chorus from Henry V & Prologue from Romeo and Juliet14:52
Learn how to apply tools and tackle various single-person text types, starting with chorus verse, moving through prologues, and ending with epilogues.

Section 5, Dialogue: Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene 319:33
We examine how the text propels the actors through action and reaction to “transact” a scene, and the triangular relationship between, actor, actor, and audience.
Section 5, Dialogue: Macbeth, Act II, Scene 320:54
We look at the particularly intimate relationship between the actor, as a character in the play, and the audience.
Section 5, Dialogue: Othello, Act V, Scene 211:47
We examine how the text propels the actors through action and reaction to “transact” a scene, and the triangular relationship between, actor, actor, and audience.

Requirements

Shakespeare has been challenging us for over 400 years with his lofty language, complex characters, and innovative insults. Sigh no more! With this new online course, you can access, understand, and wield Shakespeare's secrets from any level of experience. We will walk you through activating the text; all you need is curiosity and a willingness to engage!

Description

Are you an actor who has been scared of Shakespeare? An expert looking to revive and revitalize your skills? Someone curious but daunted by the classic playwright's words?

Well, a classic is a classic because it is modern. This new online course was crafted specifically to help anyone curious about Shakespeare find the relevance and immediacy in his language and provide the tools to make it possible! Whether you're a performer or simply passionate about Shakespeare, there are nuggets of wisdom in here for you.

Follow along with us to learn key tools for Performing Shakespeare from renowned actor and instructor Peter Francis James.

From 2000 to 2020, Peter was the resident acting teacher for Shakespeare at the Yale School of Drama. He is native of the south side of Chicago, a recipient of the Obie, Drama Desk, and Lortel awards for acting, and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. His expertise and learning comes from his performances, studies in higher education, and multiple collaborations over the years with the co-founders of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he played Oberon for Peter Hall and acted in workshops for John Barton in New York and Oxford.

This course features video content with subtitles already included for accessibility as well as on-screen scansion and accompanying supplemental PDFs to further highlight and unpack course materials. All of the text studied in the videos is available in these PDFs for you to follow along and practice for yourself!

What's Included:

High quality video content with real stage actors (over 3.5 hours!) on Shakespearean text, performance, and tools
10 Texts pulled directly from 7 different Shakespearean works
30 Tools to Access Shakespeare unpacked by Peter Francis James
Full Subtitles already included on the videos, including on-screen scansion for learning iambic pentameter
10 Downloadable Resources for you to follow along with the course and retain knowledge for future use

Where there's a Will, there's a way. Perform Shakespeare with Theater . Academy today!

Who this course is for:

Actors
Anyone with curiosity about Shakespeare
BFA in Acting applicants
MFA in Acting applicants
Performers wishing to learn more about Shakespeare
Shakespeare Lovers
Students
Teachers (Theatre, English, or even Literature!)

What you'll learn

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Course content

Methodology: Tools, Not Rules2 lectures • 35min

Tools at Work2 lectures • 42min

One on One: Choruses, Prologues, and Epilogues2 lectures • 43min

No Man Is an Island: Soliloquy1 lecture • 44min

Action, Reaction, and Transaction: Dialogue3 lectures • 52min

Conclusion1 lecture • 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: