Shakespeare Basics

Presented by George Bartenieff

In this Shakespeare workshop for actors, we begin with reading. Through monologues, soliloquies, and scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, you’ll then learn how to liberate the poetry and feeling in yourself by using the essentials of classic drama — rhythm, structure, passion, and ideas. As you rehearse in front of others, we will focus on the crucial process of building and revealing character.

For the first day of class:
  • Get a copy of the Folger Shakespeare edition of HAMLET. Read it once, and be able to tell the story for the first day of class.
  • Bring a speech that you want to work on from any Shakespeare play.

Required reading: Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Folger Shakespeare Edition.
Available for purchase online via our registration system or in-person at the registration office.


*Please review registration prerequisites before enrolling (on the right-hand side of this page on desktop or below on mobile).