The 28-year-old Nashville Shakespeare Festival (NSF) adds a brand-new educational component. Starting in February, the School of Nashville Shakespeare Festival is open to all ages and skill levels and provides students with training in classes that include beginners and improv.
“The courses we’re offering through the School of Nashville Shakespeare are much like our summer intensives with more time dedicated to each skill and technique,” says Santiago Sosa, director of educational programming at NSF. “The level one and two classes can be taken simultaneously, and our hope is that students joining us for these initial classes will continue on as we add additional levels and courses,” she adds.
The inaugural classes are:
LEVEL 1: BEGINNING SHAKESPEARE
Mondays, Feb. 8 – March 28 from 6 – 9 p.m.
$275
Class includes Shakespeare history; first folio/technique; scansion; learning a Shakespeare monologue focused on scansion; delivering an effective monologue and more.
LEVEL 2: VOICING SHAKESPEARE
Wednesdays, Feb. 10 – March 30 from 6 – 9 p.m.
$250
Class includes vocal techniques for speaking Shakespeare; understanding quality, force, time and pitch; tools ro navigating text vocally; body alignment and awareness; vocal hygiene tips; and more.
LEVEL 1: IMPROV FOR THE ACTOR
Mondays, Feb. 8 – March 28 from 6 – 9 p.m.
$275
Class introduces the basic techniques and philosophies of improvisation in order to approach Shakespeare’s text in more playful and improvisational ways.
LEVEL 2: IMPROV FOR ADVANCED SCENE WORK
Wednesdays, Feb. 10 – March 30 from 6 – 9 p.m.
$275
Class builds on previously established improv techniques with an emphasis on scene work. Students will develop the courage and trust to listen and react honestly in both improvised and scripted scenes.
Class sizes are limited, and advance registration is required. Payment plans are available. To register or for more info, call 615-255-2273 or visit nashvilleshakes.org/schoolatshakes.htm.
