Shakespeare Theatre NJ Hosts New Season Education Programs

As part of its ongoing 45th Anniversary season celebration, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has announced a new addition to its highly acclaimed and expansive education programs, a new series for adults entitled Midday with Masters. 

Offering four different 90-minute events, each program will highlight creative techniques, commonly used on the stage to create the "magic of theatre," that can be used at home in decoration, arts and crafts, and more.  

A combination of DIY and lecture, the events will showcase stagecraft that audiences can see in use on the Theatre's Main Stage during Henry VI: Blood & Roses (October 9 through November 11) and A Christmas Carol (November 27 through December 31).

All participants will receive a packet of instructional material and fun information to help them use these techniques at home.  Each program begins at 11AM and will be held at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage, the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. 

Individual tickets for the events are $25 or patrons can save 20 percent by purchasing the series of four for $80.   Tickets for the Main Stage productions of Henry VI: Blood & Roses and A Christmas Carol may be purchased separately.   For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The series kicks off on October 25, 2007, just in time for Halloween, with The Art of the Mask.   This Midday with Masters program features a blend of narrative on the historical role of masks in the theatre, fascinating lore, a plethora of mask samples of all varieties and styles, and an on-stage demonstration of various mask-making techniques.  The program will also feature a demonstration of head-casting – a process used to create the heads-on-pikes for The Shakespeare Theatre's production of Henry VI: Blood & Roses, running concurrently on the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage.  Participants will receive a packet of instructional material to help them create their own masks at home.

Next is Scenic Painting Tricks of the Trade to be held on November 15 at 11AM. Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey scenic artists and artisans will demonstrate a variety of painting and decorative techniques commonly used to create stunning illusions and landscapes on stage.  These techniques are often the very ones employed to create beautiful domestic environments that are featured in home decor magazines and television shows.  These often simple techniques can be used to transform a room or one's home.   See how a plaster panel can become marble, or how a wall becomes weathered or ancient overnight!   Take-home how-to materials will be provided.

Just in time for the holidays is A Victorian Christmas Adventure on December 6 at 11AM.   If there was ever an era that epitomizes "classic Christmas" it is the Victorian era.   An ongoing narrative about the Victorian holiday experience, highlighted by specific anecdotes and information about the traditions, the games, the food, the drink, and the popular gifts and decorations of the time, will serve as the backdrop to on-stage demonstrations of the tricks of the trade that our artists will share with audience members interested in creating a touch of Victorian Christmas in their own homes.  The Shakespeare Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol runs concurrently, where audience members can see the stagecraft in use.

The new year brings the final in the Midday with Masters series, Bonnets, Bows & Beehives, a must for all those who thrill to a bonnet with blossoms or a beehive with bows!   Bonnets, Bows and Beehives will be held January 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.  Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey resident hair and wig stylists, designers, and milliners will guide participants through a plethora of theatrical techniques used to create fabulous hats, accessories and hair styles that are useful for creating costumes as well as for enhancing your look for dressy or festive affairs.   The presentation culminates in the creation of a Marie Antoinette style wig, complete with adornments – the ultimate "beehive" hairdo.  As always, a fun packet of take-home information accompanies the session. 

Each program begins at 11AM and will be held at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage, the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre.  Individual tickets for the events are $25 or patrons can save 20 percent by purchasing the series of four for $80.   Tickets for the Main Stage productions of Henry VI: Blood & Roses and A Christmas Carol may be purchased separately.   For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free. 

The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors.   Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available.  Braille and large print programs are available.   Infrared listening devices are available free of charge.  Some performances are audio described, captioned and sign-language interpreted.  Contact the theatre for more information.   For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.