Hamilton-Gibson’s Women’s Project presents a workshop on exploring Shakespeare up on its feet as spoken theatre.  This workshop, directed by Jesse Thompson, will give participants an opportunity to dig in to the language of Shakespeare, and to rise to the challenges that playing Shakespeare’s characters present. 

Playing Shakespeare gives us the opportunity to explore our range physically, emotionally, and vocally. It is also a unique opportunity to look at our ability to communicate and reveal the meaning of language effectively. In the first half of this workshop participants will learn ways to develop their physical and vocal skills including exploring some of the basic exercises of the Linklater voice method.  

Within the language of Shakespeare is all the range and subtlety of human experience. We will look at various examples of this, and how the writing style itself can help us uncover the heart of a character.  We will talk about ways of analyzing the text to be able to understand and convey its meaning clearly and effectively. Participants will be invited to bring a monologue that they would like to work on and there will be opportunities in the second half of the day to work on the monologues for further exploration. Text will also be provided for short scene work and other exercises. 

Whether participants are experienced or brand new to the bard, this workshop will offer a fun and creative day of language and theatre for anyone who is curious. Participants will gain an appreciation for not only the experience of expanding ourselves through the interpretation and expression of poetic language, but also the how the language and stories of Shakespeare are still playable, relatable, and relevant to us today.