Shakespeare 201
Shakespeare wrote his plays with secrets to his actors. Stage directions, emotional state of being, and the essence of character. In this class we’ll break Shakespeare’s code and delve into the hidden meanings of his text. Open to students who are returning to either Shakespeare Ensemble or Shakespeare Troupe, as well as past participants in those ensembles.
For current 9th-12th graders
- Time: Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
- Dates: April 28 – May 19
- There will be a 30 minute showcase at the end of the last class.
- Rates: $140
For performers eager to deepen their acting training, this advanced Shakespeare class gives students the skills they need to take their classical performance work to the next level.
We will delve into the core of classical acting technique by examining scenes and monologues carefully selected from Shakespearean literature. While rehearsing scenes, students learn to research and explore their character, balance logic with imagination, identify their character’s journey, collaborate with scene partners, and rehearse productively. Scene work will be augmented with linguistic study that also teach acting skills: clarity of thought and action, commitment to choices, active listening, and responding while in character. The result is bold, confident and clear acting!
Traveling Players classes and summer camps/conservatories offer expert training in acting, character creation, physical comedy, stage combat, improvisation, and text analysis. We also value the spirit of the ensemble. Our ensemble- and team-building activities create a strong, supportive cast — and friendships that can last a lifetime!
This class clarifies basic acting technique and introduces advanced techniques. We have found that you can never go over basic acting technique enough, as it is the foundation of all higher level work. This class solidifies the basics, thereby setting up students for success in high school, college and beyond!
- Classes are in-person.
- All students and staff wear masks at all times.
- Temperature is checked upon arrival.
- All staff are fully vaccinated.
- All students 12 and older are required to be vaccinated. Students turning 12 during class will have two weeks from their birthday to acquire their first dose of the vaccine.
- High-touch surfaces are disinfected between classes.
- Our Studio is fully compliant with CDC recommended safety standards, guidelines, and practices, in addition to Tysons Corner Center, Fairfax County and Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
- We are continuing to monitor local community transmission levels. If appropriate, we are prepared to move the class and the showcase online to Zoom (as we successfully did last year).
In 2021, Traveling Players welcomed 90+ students and 25+ staff for 6 weeks of in-person residential camp without a single case of COVID-19. Our community’s vaccination rate greatly exceeds the local average (between 85% and 95%).
In 2020, Traveling Players’ programs were held online. We produced five highly successful play festivals over Zoom, ranging from ridiculous farces to stark tragedies.
Needless to say, we’re prepared for whatever the future holds!
Tuition: $115 ($140 after the Early Bird flies away on April 1 at midnight)
Location: Traveling Players Studio
Tysons Corner Center (Tysons-1 Mall), 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA 22102
Teacher: Ryan Fields, BA
Class Size: 12 actors
I just wanted to thank you and Traveling Players for all the training you guys have given me in the last three years. I got third place in my school’s Shakespeare monologue competition [as a freshman], and I give the credit ENTIRELY to the very worthy Traveling Players Ensemble. I love Traveling Players so much and I am glad to have met each and every person I’ve met there!
-Student