SHAKESPEARE in PERFORMANCE
(Classes begin April 20 – 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
Guest Director: Arabian Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Shakespeare Co
Former Artistic Director for Shakespeare in the Rough

In this class 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: Monday evenings from 6:30pm-9:30pm
April 20 – June 8 (8 evenings)

Where: Centre for Indigenous Theatre, 180 Shaw Street, Suite 208

Cost: $325 (Cheque/Visa/MC accepted)

More Info: [email protected]

About the Instructor

As Artistic Director for Humber River Shakespeare Kevin has directed As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, Comedy of Errors, A Christmas Carol, Shakespeare Cabaret, among other works. Kevin is directing The Taming of the Shrew this spring at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and last fall directed Othello for the Arabian Shakespeare Festival in San Francisco.

In 2012 Kevin was selected to participate in the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival. While there he was Assistant Director for Measure for Measure and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. 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.

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

“It was an honor and a pleasure to work with Kevin Hammond. His direction is specific, generous, and insightful, and his text work is so keen and helpful to the actor. Kevin is intelligent, friendly, and thoughtful, and his approach to the process inspires diligence, clarity, and passion in the work.”
– Jennifer Le Blanc, AEA

“Kevin is far and away the most unassuming director I have ever worked with. He lead us through the rehearsal process with a kindness and calm that I have seldom experienced, all while demanding the utmost moment to moment specificity. He was a true partner in the exploration of the text, making for an incredibly rewarding artistic experience.”
– Teddy Spencer, AEA