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A new course for teachers:
This course is intended to create a stronger
relationship between the traditional deskbound and practical
approaches to teaching Shakespeare and other related poetry
studies for the classroom. The emphasis will be on fostering
speech arts and oral presentation through improvisation, choral,
and related scene work. Teachers will focus on an active approach
to the text and voice as they learn how to build acting companies
in their classrooms. The course will be lead by Shakespeare
In Action, Artistic Director, Michael Kelly. Mr. Kelly has
received international recognization for his innovative programming
in the field of Shakespeare education.
Why a practical
approach? Working practically is particularly useful
for overcoming students' awe and alienation when they encounter
Shakespeare. It helps the teacher break free from the force-feeding,
teacher-centred situation, which is essential, one-way. The
practical approach is process and not product orientated.
It is designed to be enjoyable, and is also exciting, but
at the same time its real purpose is to encourage the participants
to 'thinks on their feet'. The work and exercises are designed
to keep everyone actively and productively engaged. Responsibility
for the success or failure of the work is shared between students
and their teachers. The work requires no specialist drama
skills, but precisely the same qualities as any good teaching:
thorough preparation, a willingness to take calculated risks,
and an open mind.
Practical work essentially involves creating
a context in which the language of the play is to be spoken.
Creating that context requires from the students a combination
of intellectual, physical, and emotional activity. It is therefore
an opportunity for students to direct their natural energy
into positive channels. Instead of sitting behind a desk,
they are able to move, and encouraged to speak and interact
with one and other. The student who participates in collaborative
dramatic exploration of Shakespeare is creating an opportunity
to stake a claim to that text that is personal, and not simply
that of their teacher.
This course is available upon request
to school boards, individual schools and for P.D. days.
Includes Teacher's Resources
Michael Kelly
is the founder and Artistic Director of the Shakespeare In
Action Theatre company, and Director of the Teaching Shakespeare
Summer Institute at York University. During the 80's, he trained
in classical theatre with Tina Packer and Kristin Linklater
from Shakespeare and Co. in Lennox Mass. and Cicely Berry,
renowned voice director from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Michael also holds an M.F.A. in Directing from York University.
He serves as an artist in- the- schools with the Royal Conservatory
of Music, Centre for Learning Through the Arts. His directing
credits include many contemporary and Shakespearean plays
and projects as well as conducting master class workshops
for Shakespeare's Globe theatre, London, Stratford Festival,
Canada, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Globe Centre
N.Z. and the Toronto Board of Education. He has taught, period
styles acting, and theatre studies at York University, as
well as, drama and acting Shakespeare courses, at George Brown
College, Randolph Academy for the Arts, York University, Equity
Showcase Theatre, and the National Youth Drama School, NZ.
For more information contact:
Artistic Director, Michael Kelly
(416) 703-4881
mkelly@shakespeareinaction.org
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