AST is proud to offer a wide variety of Educational Outreach opportunities for schools and individuals. For more information on any of our programs, contact:
Josh Rice
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Saturday Classes
This spring we are offering two new classes on Saturday mornings, in partnership with the Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas. Classes will be taught January 14th through March 10th in the Snow Fine Arts Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. Available classes are:
Detecting Shakespeare
Offered for Juniors (Grades 3-6) and Seniors (Grades 7-12)
Time: Juniors: 11 am – 12 pm
Location: Snow Fine Arts Building on the Campus of UCA
Cost: $100
Teaching Artist: Ruthann Curry Browne
“Speak the speech I pray you as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue.”
Yeah…but how? For those of us unfamiliar with the Bard’s work, sometimes the language, meter, and punctuation can leave us puzzled as to how to speak the speech and pronounce it without tripping on our own tongues. In this class, students will become drama detectives and investigate the clues within the plays that help us to better understand what Shakespeare really meant, and how we can translate it to the stage.
Stage Fighting with Shakespeare
Offered for Seniors (Grades 7-12)
Time: 9 am – 10 am
Location: Snow Fine Arts Building on the Campus of UCA
Cost $100
Teaching Artist: Chad Bradford
The pen is mightier than the sword…but sometimes, a rapier speaks louder than a goose-quill. This nine-week course explores the art of slaps, knaps, punches, duels and fools within the context of Shakespeare’s most famous works. Using Shakespearean heroes and villains, this class will teach you the basics of stage fighting through controlled physicality and movement, and how to insert these techniques into the medium of a play to help tell the story. Proper attire includes closed-toed shoes and clothes comfortable for moving in.
CLICK HERE to register for the Seniors Classes.
CLICK HERE to register for the Juniors Class.
The Groundlings Company
This summer AST is excited to launch The Groundlings Company (TGC), a two-week summer Shakespeare intensive for students of diverse backgrounds from all across Central Arkansas. Students will receive physical, vocal, and character training from AST’s company of professional actors and teaching artists, culminating in a fully-produced Shakespearean Green Show that will perform before AST’s production of Twelfth Night. Check back here soon for more information.
Touring Productions for Schools
Wooed and Won: Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fighters
A fast-paced romp through several of Shakespeare’s best known scenes featuring some of his most colorful characters, this 40-minute show is the perfect introduction or curriculum complement to these classic works. Geared primarily for middle to high school Audiences, the play is proof that Shakespeare is fun, with sword fights, audience participation, and more. “Wooed and Won” is an entertaining learning experience that brings Shakespeare’s timeless works to life and opens the door to a new understanding of the world’s most popular playwright. Wooed and Won is available year-round.
The Tempest
A 45-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s magical tale of intrigue and romance. Prospero and his daughter Miranda have been exiled to a mysterious island, alone with only its magical inhabitants for years. But one day fate brings Prospero’s greatest enemy near his shore, and offers the opportunity for revenge. This production is geared specifically for younger audiences, and will feature UCA theatre students. It will be available to tour in April 2012.
For both productions, AST will provide study materials, and we are always happy to have a question and answer session following the presentation. Workshops dealing with aspects of Shakespeare performance are also available.
We are now a member of the Arkansas Arts Council Arts on Tour roster, which could mean a 40 percent re-imbursement of the booking fee for your organization!
Workshops
Our workshop leaders, Monica Clark-Robinson and Josh Rice offer a variety of choices for your group:
Not Your Mama’s Shakespeare: Getting Students Excited About the Bard
To Be the Bard or not to be the Bard: An Interactive Introduction to Shakespeare
Shakespearean Monologue Workshop
Acting 101: Games and Exercises for Fun and Learning
Improv!
Fees
$400 per show
$250 per workshop
We look forward to bringing the Bard to you and becoming an integral part of your Shakespeare curriculum or community outreach!
Contact
Josh Rice
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Study Guides
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