This class is taught in English.

Students will learn practical methods for learning and delivering Shakespearean monologues and scenes. We will cover articulation, projection, and resonance to make the students' voices heard clearly. We will then cover the techniques of close reading- delving into the text and uncovering the details of character motivation through the study of verse and rhetoric. Further topics will include persuasive speech, poetic imagery, and using Shakespeare's verse to understand his characters. 

I have a master's degree in acting from Mary Baldwin College and another in Shakespearean dramaturgy. I have worked professionally with such Shakespearean companies as the American Shakespeare Center, The Richmond Shakespeare Festival, Tailgate Shakespeare, and Open Air Shakespeare NRV. Some of my favorite roles include Macbeth in "Macbeth", Feste in "Twelfth Night," Moth/Lysander/Snout   in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and Prince Escalus in "Romeo and Juliet."

Homework Offered
Students will be asked to study a monologue from a Shakespeare play as much as possible. Ideally, they would read the whole play, watch as many performances of the monologue as possible, and memorize it before the final class. However, as long as the students pay attention in class, take good notes, and work hard, this level of commitment is not essential. The annotations are designed to help the students in future auditions.
Assessments Offered
Students will be assessed by how well they apply the techniques discussed in each class- articulation, close reading, characterization, and use of verse and rhetoric. My assessment will consist of a frank, constructive critique of what is working with their monologue, and how they can improve upon it in the future.
Grades Offered

All sources are useful, but not required. I'll give you a complete PDF of my favorite Shakespearean acting resources on the final day of class.

Web: 
1. The Shakespearean Student: http://shakespeareanstudent.wordpress.com/ This is my Shakespeare blog, which should provide you with an overview of my approach to Shakespearean text and acting.

2. The Royal Shakespeare Company: Education: https://www.rsc.org.uk/education A great resource for the plays and most famous productions of Shakespeare, from the top English Shakespearean acting company.

3. Internet Shakespeare Editions: https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/ This is an online encyclopedia of Shakespeare, and extremely useful 

Books: 
The Essential Shakespeare Handbook. by Leslie Dunton-Downer and Alan Riding. The name pretty much sums it up. This is my Shakespeare bible. It has plot summaries of all the plays, descriptions of the plot, hundreds of production photos, It’s basically a Shakespeare museum in a book. I cannot recommend it enough! Amazon review page: https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Shakespeare-Handbook-Leslie-Dunton-Downer/dp/B00DT64BB6 

Speak the Speech! By Rhona Silverbush and Sami Plotkin. The perfect resource for an auditioning actor- it has a detailed analysis of some of Shakespeare’s greatest and most famous monologues. It also provides clues to unlocking Shakespeare’s elaborate iambic pentameter.

Speaking Shakespeare by Patsy Rodenburg
This book has an air of authority; it was written by the Director of Voice at the Royal National Theatre in London. In addition to giving an excellent analysis of some of Shakespeare’s speeches, the book gives both vocal and physical exercises to improve your ability to deliver Shakespeare’s lines with body and voice.