SHAKESPEARE in PERFORMANCE
(Classes begin March 4 – Class size limited)
Acting Shakespeare class introduces the challenges and delights of performing the texts of William Shakespeare.
Instructor: Kevin Hammond
Artistic Director/Co-Founder, Humber River Shakespeare
Member of the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival,
Former Artistic Director for Shakespeare in the Rough
In this session you will be introduced to a variety of tools and insights that will lead to a greater understanding of Shakespeare’s text and clarity in your performance.
SHAKESPEARE in PERFORMANCE puts the acting of Shakespeare’s words within reach of the contemporary actor.
With an equal focus on the Body, the Breath, the Text AND the Imagination the student will begin to appreciate the physical stamina, mental rigour and creative insight required to perform Shakespeare’s text.
The first part of the course will be dedicated to monologue work and the second half will focus on scenes.
When: Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm-9:30pm
March 4 – May 6 (10 evenings)
Where: Fraser Studios, 76 Stafford St., Unit 101
Cost: $325 (Cheque/Visa/MC accepted)
More Info: email
About the Instructor
As Artistic Director for Humber River Shakespeare Kevin has directed As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, Comedy of Errors, A Christmas Carol, Shakespeare Cabaret, among other works. In 2012 Kevin was selected to participate in the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival. He was Assistant Director for Measure for Measure at the Festival last season. Kevin spent five years as Artistic Director for Toronto’s Shakespeare in the Rough (2001-2005) and continues his work with the Bard as a co-founder of the Toronto Shakespeare Workout. Kevin also coaches and teaches Shakespeare to many young actors. While with Shakespeare in the Rough he was able to work as assistant director on Much Ado About Nothing and The Merchant of Venice.
Kevin is the featured voice performer for Oxford University Press’ OXFORD SHAKESPEARE PROJECT, an on-line Shakespeare Program for High School students.
Kevin has completed the Certificate Course in Arts Education in partnership with York University and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and was an adjudicator for Shakespeare in Action’s National Shakespeare Youth Festival. Kevin is also a mentor for “Shakespeare in the Hospitals” with Spur of the Moment Theatre Collective.
He has also worked at The Actors’ Fund of Canada, an organization dedicated to helping entertainment industry professionals in times of emergency. Kevin has also been the coordinator for The Dora Mavor Moore Awards, The Chalmers Awards and The Toronto Arts Awards. Producing credits include Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare in the Rough), Hosanna (Shockalot Productions), The Two Gentlemen of Verona, David Warrack’s Treasure Island (StarkNakedMad). Kevin has also worked as General Manager for the Performing Arts Lodges of Canada, as an Arts Publicist in New York, a production assistant at Harbourfront, and assistant company manager in the early years of Soulpepper Theatre.
Testimonials:
“Kevin has a natural ease in his approach to Shakespeare. I always feel I’m in incredibly good hands when working Shakespeare with Kevin. He has an immensely deep understanding of the bard. He works clearly and concisely, mining for meaning, moment to moment, word by word. He illustrates so clearly what my job is as the actor in performing my piece. He doesn’t get fooled by any of my actor tricks. Not for a second… He very simply brings my work back to a grounded place where I begin to work on what my character is expressing, what he needs and wants in the moment…. Kevin’s insights, keen understanding, and ease of direction have made the bard accessible to me in immediate ways I have never before experienced. I am so very grateful for Kevin’s mastery of the bard, his love of the work, and his generosity in sharing it.” – Malcolm Taylor
“I have worked with Kevin on several occasions with Humber River Shakespeare. Working with Kevin was a wonderful study in ‘happy mediums’, in the best possible way. He always has a clear vision about the play as a whole, as well as characters and scene development, bringing his opinion and research to the table. At the same time, nothing was set in stone and he was always open to conversation and suggestions regarding acting choices…. Kevin managed to add imagination to the play while still staying true to the text. He is well versed in Shakespeare and the added challenges classical works can hold, such as text, meaning and pronunciation.” – Lindsay Sippel Eitzen
