Shakespeare's fascination with the human condition, interactions and each person's chosen path, together with the effect of these paths on the journeys of others, form an ever-changing net of patterns which support the texts of his plays. If we first understand these ideas, then the study of the language - so often the 'death' of Shakespeare for many - falls naturally into place. It gives the plays that special kind of 'livingness' that makes a text on the page into an art form that is meaningful to both actors and audiences. The marvel of Shakespeare's art is that his observations are as relevant today as they were centuries ago, thus keeping his work alive. In line with the Center's philosophy of developing creativity, we will explore how these ideas can apply to our own lives, so connecting the patterns across the years.
In this semester we will study "A Midsummer-Nights Dream" and "Hamlet." No previous acting experience is necessary and all interested students are welcome. However, this different way of looking at Shakespeare may also appeal to actors, teachers, and those interested in the works.
Themes may include, but not be limited to:
1. The social role of the theater in both Shakespeare's and our own times.
2. The position of the human in the natural (and supernatural) order of the universe.
3. Did Hamlet really 'feign an anti disposition', or did he become 'what he wished for'?
4. How a director's decision in these kind of choices may 'swing' a production one way, or another.
Guest Instructor: Sue Roe
Sue Roe is a director, actor and theatre educator who came to Ann Arbor in 1990 from the United Kingdom. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Ann Arbor Young Actors Guild (YAG), an award winning group, now fifteen years old. Sue has over 40 years experience and has developed recognized methods of working through theatre with young people, including successfully teaching Shakespeare to high school and college students. She has acted in and directed numerous Shakespeare productions, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream'"and "Hamlet." This year she will be directing "The Taming of the Shrew" in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.
Section K: $98 (Taught by Sue Roe) Tuesdays 3-4:30pm (January 26 - March 16): 8 sessions
Section L: $98 (Taught by Sue Roe) Every Other Saturday 2:30-4:30pm: (January 16, January 30, February 13, Feruary 27, March 13, & March 27): 6 sessions
