Go Backstage with Shakespeare
08/17/2023
by Buffy Lockette
Are you interested in learning more about William Shakespeare but feel intimidated by the Bard? The JSU Department of Theatre and Film will pull back the curtain on the world's most famous playwright during a free two-part workshop on Sept. 9 in the JSU Stone Center's Ward Theater. Organized by Dr. Michael Boynton, a JSU theatre professor and Shakespearean actor, the event will shine a light on how professional actors and theatre artists bring Shakespeare's more than 400-year-old works to life.
“Many people are a little scared of Shakespeare, sadly, or even worse, they’ve had a bad experience in school that made his work seem boring and unapproachable,” Boynton said. “But nothing could be further from the truth! When you learn about Shakespeare as exciting theatre and actually get him up on his feet and act him out, it’s pretty clear that Shakespeare is great fun for everybody.”
The first part of the workshop, held from 1-4 p.m., will focus on Shakespeare’s background as a theatre artist and his impact then and now. Part two of the event, held from 6-9 p.m., will center on Shakespeare's First Folio text work, which are the tools professional actors use to perform. Special guest appearances and performances from professional Shakespearean actors will be featured throughout the workshop.
Geared toward high school and college students, as well as adults, up-and-coming actors are invited to participate in professional monologue coaching during the event. If you are interested in this special opportunity, memorize and prepare your favorite Shakespeare monologue and email Dr. Boynton at mboynton@jsu.edu to reserve your space.
Shakespeare fans should mark their calendars for JSU’s production of “As You Like It,” adapted and directed by Boynton, which will be performed on campus Oct. 27-30. More details on this play and the entire 2023-2024 JSU theatre season will be available soon at www.jsu.edu/theatrefilm. For questions, email theatrefilm@jsu.edu