Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Expands Offerings for Fall Semester of Classes

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has announced an expanded roster of offerings for the Fall semester of its Shakespeare Theatre Academy. Youth and adult classes in a wide range of disciplines connected with classic theatre are available for enrollment. Each class meets once a week and offers participants the opportunity to work under the instruction of The Shakespeare Theatre's renowned artistic and educational staff as well as guest teaching artists.

Director of Education Brian B. Crowe said, "Whether a student is taking his or her first theatre class or this experience is just one step on an ever-evolving theatrical journey, The Shakespeare Theatre Academy provides compelling, enriching, and fun opportunities for the artist in everyone."

Associate Director of Education and Fight Director Doug West will lead the sword combat courses for students ages 16 and up. With small class sizes, students will receive individualized attention as they discover the meticulous art of choreographing realistic duels and fights for shows.

Crowe, The Shakespeare Theatre's Director of Education and a frequent Main Stage director, will teach introductory classes in scene study for aspiring adult and young adult actors, now expanded into two classes - one with a focus on Shakespeare and the other with an American Classic focus. Through text, character and language analysis, participants will bring some of classic theatre's greatest characters to life.

This Fall, The Shakespeare Theatre Academy will also introduce new classes for younger artists.

Monologue/College Audition Prep will allow students to gain "One-on-One" experience as they enter the college and professional audition circuits.

Youth Acting will give students ages 11-13 an early introduction to Shakespeare while exploring workshops, games, and exercises designed to take the fear out of Shakespeare and bring the Bard's words to life.

To register or find more information about The Shakespeare Theatre Academy, call 973-845-6742 or email classes@shakespearenj.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre Academy's Fall semester includes the following classes:

EN GARDE!: SWORD PLAY 101 (ages 16 and up)

September 9 - October 28, 2013

Mondays 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The masterful craft of single sword play flashes through and enlivens so many of Shakespeare's plays; from the impassioned and fiery fights of ROMEO AND JULIET and HAMLET to the comic diversions of TWELFTH NIGHT and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. This eight-week series will cover the basics of form and safety, as well as the acting magic required to make Shakespeare's fights come to life. Foils and blades will be provided during classes by the Theatre.

ADULT CLASSIC SCENE STUDY: SHAKESPEARE (ages 18 and up)

September 10 - October 29, 2013

Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Ever dreamed of being on stage in a thrilling Shakespeare tragedy or one of the Bard's rollicking, fast-paced comedies? Designed for novice and semi-experienced actors, this eight-week series is fast, fun, and enlightening. From technique, to monologues, to scene work, participants will focus on the skills necessary to bring life to the classics on stage utilizing the masterful work of Shakespeare.

ADULT CLASSIC SCENE STUDY: AMERICAN CLASSICS (ages 18 and up)

September 11 - October 30, 2013

Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

From Grover's Corners, to the heart of the Salem Witch Trials, to the lonely streets of pre-war St. Louis, fantastic American Playwrights weave together their unique perspectives on The American Dream, Freedom, and Family into the rich fabric of our theatrical heritage. Participants in this series of our popular Adult Classic Scene Study class will focus on scenes drawn from the canon of Classic American Theatre. This brand-new, eight-week series will draw its source material from the works of some of America's greatest playwrights.

YOUNG ACTORS SHAKESPEARE SCENE STUDY (ages 14-18)

Session A - September 11 - October 29, 2013

Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Session B - September 14 - November 2, 2013

Saturdays 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

An extension of The Shakespeare Theatre's popular Junior and Senior Shakespeare Corps summer program, the Young Actors Shakespeare series takes students through the actor's approach to Shakespeare. From text analysis and speech work to engaging in the "deliciousness of language" and physical characterization, this eight-week series explores some of Shakespeare's most popular (and some lesser-known) scenes and sonnets. An ideal class for budding actors, those new to Shakespeare's verse, and language enthusiasts.

YOUTH ACTING (ages 11-13)

Session A - September 10 - October 29, 2013

Tuesdays 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Session B - September 14 - November 2, 2013

Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

An early introduction to Shakespeare can help any student get ahead, both on the stage and in the classroom! We take our young Shakespeareans through a series of workshops, games and exercises designed to take the fear out of Shakespeare, and bring the Bard's words to life! We workout the Mind, the Body and the Voice, as we help our students experiment with sounds, learn how to define difficult words in context, and experiment with physicalizing different creatures and characters! A portion of the final class will be an open "rehearsal" for parents who are interested in seeing what their students have been working on, and how they got there!

MONOLOGUE/COLLEGE AUDITION PREP (ages 14-18)

September 10 - October 29, 2013

Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Group Sessions -

September 10 & 17, October 8 & 29

Individual Sessions -

September 24, October 1, 15, & 22

(4 one-hour sessions per student)

Students spend time with the instructor, utilizing a combination of group master classes and private one-on-one sessions, learning to select, prepare and execute classical and contemporary monologues for their upcoming college/professional auditions. The class begins with some Audition/Monologue basics before each student is scheduled for a series of "One-on-One" coaching sessions with one of our Teaching Artists. Halfway through the session we check back in as a group to share our individual progress and address some other audition issues that may arise (attire, headshots, resumes, interviews, etc...). After the midpoint we move back to individual sessions to polish up our pieces and make them ready for the college audition circuit. The final class includes a "Mock Audition" where we bring in casting and education professionals to give students "real world" feedback on their pieces.

To register or find more information about The Shakespeare Theatre Academy, call 973-845-6742 or email classes@shakespearenj.org.

A long-standing leader in arts education, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is deeply committed to nurturing new talent for the American stage and providing compelling enrichment programs for patrons of all ages. The Theatre's Summer Professional Training Program brings early-career artists from across the nation to study and experience classic theatre in an intense, hands-on environment alongside some of the most respected artists in the country. The Junior and Senior Shakespeare Corps have provided an exciting immersion in Shakespeare and other classics for young people ages 11 to 17 for over two decades. The Pages-to-Players in-school residencies, the Shakesperience: NJ Student Shakespeare Festival, and the Shakespeare LIVE! educational touring company and workshops provide even more opportunities for students and educators to be a part of the magic of classic drama. Patrons of The Shakespeare Theatre have long praised the Theatre's Symposium and Know-the-Show series, as much appreciated opportunities for audiences to get a deeper look into the work on stage.

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classic for contemporary audiences.

To post a comment, you must register and login.