Approaching Shakespeare can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to. With a few simple tools, Shakespeare’s language can go from a mystery to an exciting puzzle to unlock.

In this workshop you will learn accessible techniques for understanding Shakespeare’s text, and learn to deepen your personal connection to the text so that you can bring your full self to performance.

Bring a memorized Shakespeare monologue (90 seconds or less), if you don't have one don't worry! Here's a piece you can prepare.

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that 'Caesar'?

Why should that name be sounded more than yours?

Write them together, yours is as fair a name;

Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;

Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em,

Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar.

Now, in the names of all the gods at once,

Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed,

That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!

Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!

When went there by an age, since the great flood,

But it was famed with more than with one man?

O, you and I have heard our fathers say,

There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd

The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome

As easily as a king.