Studying Shakepseare Actor Training and Performance
2007 Exploration Seminar in London, England

**THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS**

Program Director: Shanga Parker ~ Drama
Dates of Instruction: August 20 to September 14

Why is it that British actors are the best trained Shakespearean actors in the English speaking world? What is it about their actor training that allows them to speak the text so well, have a such strong presence on stage, and be able to make the shift to acting on camera so seamlessly? It is widely understood that actors from Britain are the best trained actors working in the theatre and film industries. They work and excel in every media (theatre, film, television). Many British actors who excel on the stage, particularly with Shakespeare, transfer their skills to the screen exceptionally well.

This Exploration Seminar is designed to answer the above questions by visiting the top actor training schools in London—London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), and British Academy of Dramatic Arts (BADA). The students will sit in on classes at these schools and interview faculty and students about the training methodologies.

To see the methodologies in action, the students will attend Shakespeare performances at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in London and in Stratford-upon-Avon. They will interview the actors and directors of these productions to discover how the classroom learning is used practically. The students will then use their observations (from the classroom and performances) to design a class in acting Shakespeare’s verse. The students will practically apply the methodologies from these training programs in their own acting of Shakespearean text. The interface between the work in the classroom, on stage, and doing it themselves, will be a tremendous learning experience in these acting methods. Students will attend classes and performances, interview practitioners, keep a journal, and write a paper explaining what they have observed.

An interview with the instructor is required for acceptance into the class.

Participants will earn 5 credits of DRAMA 499, Special Studies in Acting and Directing, or CHID 471 Europe Study Abroad (I&S).  Participants should check with their advisors to determine how these credits can count towards departmental requirements.

Student costs:  
$2,975 Program Fee
$200 IPE Fee
Additional costs include: return airfare to London, some meals, local metro transportation, insurance and personal spending money.

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