With the rigorous performance schedule of the repertory system during Shakespeare's day, there was no time to rehearse. Therefore, Shakespeare created a system that quickly and efficiently provided the actor with the entirety of the character. He achieved this by placing essential clues for the actors directly into the text! Unfortunately, since that time, many editors have removed this vital, intended text and deleted important acting clues in the name of regularity. The 1623 First Folio is the most authentic manual available to Shakespearean actors, directors, and teachers today!
Actors and directors use this process when staging the works of Shakespeare. Action and subtext become clear, and performances become exhilarating for both actor and audience.
Teachers learn new ways to bring Shakespeare alive in the classroom and how to decode the language, spelling, punctuation, and lineage preserved in the First Folio of 1623. You will receive hands on activities and interactive techniques that can be taken directly into your classroom that are designed to connect all types of students with Shakespeare’s language. Join Kevin Long, Professor of Theatre at Harper College, Educator/Artist at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Co-Author of the book, "Bring on the Bard," to unlock the secrets to performing Shakespeare's work. You, along with Kevin, will proclaim ….
Thank you, Bill!
This workshop will introduce a series of “Folio Clues” embedded by the Bard to guide actors’ preparation and to speak that language with intent and understanding.
Unlock the secret to performing Shakespeare’s work. Explore the language and theatre of the world's greatest playwright using the First Folio of 1623. Using Shakespeare's own methods, participants will learn how to interpret text and build a foundation for inspiring performances.
Through this exhilarating process, participants will apply their newfound skills to Shakespearean monologues and/or scenes (depending on your needs) which will enable them to interpret the text in a more specific and meaningful way.
No prior experience is required.
This is two sessions of two hours each, usually separated by a week. The first session is an introduction to the First Folio and Working Practices. The second session focuses on applying First Folio Technique by working with monologues, scenes, and/or cue scripts – depending upon your interests and needs.
This is essentially the first session of the above Workshop.
Fees are agreed by negotiation. Please contact Kevin for further information.
Using Cue Scripts and Folio Technique to Demystify Shakespeare’s Language
Find your role when you pick up your "roll." Encourage your students to step into the spotlight and to try on Shakespeare's language using cue scripts and applying clues drawn from the First Folio. Renaissance actors were given “cue scripts” containing only the lines for a character and the phrases that proceed (or cue) each line. Shakespeare’s actors would never receive the entire script, so they experienced the play in the moment that spoke their part for the first time. This workshop will introduce participants to using excerpts from the First Folio in concert with any mass market edition typically read by middle school, secondary or college students.
The First Folio is based on the scripts used by Shakespeare’s actors. Those texts are brimming with the clues he embedded to help his actors quickly understand the intent of their character’s actions. During the first workshop session, Kevin will take participants through a “Folio Clue Boot Camp,” modelling how strategically selected Folio speeches and scenes yield dramatic differences in characterization and how students can benefit from applying set of clues conventions embedded in the Folio to better understand early Modern English spelling, pronoun, capitalization, and punctuation.
The second session of the workshop will demonstrate how participants can take their students through a modified version of “original practice” rehearsal techniques used by Shakespeare’s actors to provide students with an activity to both apply the Folio Clues and to speak that language with intent and understanding. Participants will experience using cue scripts “in rehearsal” taking on a role (actually a “roll” as “parts” were presented to actors as a scroll) or acting as the keeper of the book (only one member of the acting company would have a copy of the complete script).
No prior experience is required.
This is two sessions of two hours each, usually separated by a week. The first session is an introduction to the First Folio and Working Practices. The second session focuses on applying First Folio Technique by working with monologues, scenes, and/or cue scripts – depending upon your interests and needs.
This is essentially the first session of the above Workshop.
This is essentially the two session workshop (as described above) but combined into a one day professional development session for teachers.
Fees are agreed by negotiation. Please contact Kevin for further information.
Actors will work with Kevin to unlock the secret to performing Shakespeare’s work. Together we will demystify Shakespeare’s language to make your pieces exciting and compelling - as if these characters are speaking the language in the “immediate perpetual present tense” needing the language to achieve what they want. By maintaining the verse structure (Thank you, Bill!) and applying strong acting technique (actively pursuing what you want, specific and active thinking), you will create a solid foundation for inspiring performances.
$75.00/hour
$50.00/ ½ hour
"Great day! I loved that we focused so closely on the text. Very beneficial and connects well to the objectives in my classroom. Thank you for such a great opportunity!"
"All the presenters were fabulous. This day has re-energized me and I can't wait to start this text work with my students."
"Kevin Long workshop was the best experience I've had in a very long time!"
"So great that Kevin was here! This workshop was EXACTLY what the students needed!"
“As always, you never fail to give me something to use for my classroom.”
"Kevin was freaking spectacular!”
