Shakespeare Theater Company Adds Creative Courses for Adults, Students

If the Shakespeare Theater Company’s original list of semester courses didn’t inspire you, perhaps some new offerings will change your mind.

The theater company is offering nine additional courses for adults and students running from September to October with subjects ranging from stage makeup to mask making.

The company will also introduce its first class for elementary school students this semester in response to popular demand. The creative dynamics class will help students in grades 1 to 4 master self-expression and be confident on stage.

“At our core, we are a teaching theatre, and we strive to extend that mission to the community by offering instruction in all aspects of theatrical creation, both onstage and behind the scenes,” Director of Education Brian Crowe said.

Classes meet once a week and registration is required. For more information or to register for a course, contact the company at 973-845-6742, email classes@shakespearenj.org, or visit its website.

The additional classes are as follows per a press release by the theater company:

Creative Dramatics (grades 1-2): Imagination, team work, self-expression, and confidence are not only important skills in creating theatre, but also in life. Students will discover how to utilize their natural curiosity, energy, and creativity through theatre games, student-inspired improvisations, and an exploration of language basics. Six Sessions/ Mondays 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Creative Dramatics (grades 3-4): A fun and engaging introduction to acting for young people. Students will learn to harness their imagination, work in collaborative teams, and create characters through a variety of workshops and theatre games while gaining confidence in self-expression and public speaking. Six Sessions/ Mondays 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Young Actors Workshop (grades 5-7): Encouraging creativity and teaching teamwork and self-expression are the driving forces of this high-energy series. Each week, students of all experience levels will dive into theatre games and exercises designed to unleash their own power of creation and invention. From voice and movement work to exploring the power of language, these classes are designed to empower young people as only theatre can. Six Sessions/ Tuesdays 3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Teen Actors Workshop (grades 8-12): Acting fundamentals are the focus of this fun and fast-paced series. Through a variety of theater games, seminars, exercises, and scene work, students will discover the power of language and self-expression while learning ensemble work and performance techniques— all while using a variety of classic texts including Shakespeare. Six Sessions/ Wednesdays 5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

Shakespeare Book Club: Reading the Bard Aloud: “Book-club meets Dead Poet’s Society meets an evening out with friends — The Shakespeare Edition!” Explore the fascinating universe of Shakespeare’s canon in this engaging new offering from The Shakespeare Theatre. Enjoy libations and snacks with fellow readers in this fun, casual, and social atmosphere, while you explore four different plays —including Henry VIII and Much Ado About Nothing ahead of their arrival on our Main Stage this fall. Scripts included in enrollment fee. September 23 – November 11, 2014; Eight Sessions/ Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. . – 10:00 p.m.

Adult Scene Study: Performing Shakespeare: Take the first steps to realizing your acting potential. Designed for novice and early-level actors, this eight-week series explores the first steps into the intricacies of performing the master playwright’s works. Classes include engaging theatre exercises, language work, and character creation. Through small group performances, beginners can let their work shine in the safe environment of this fun and energetic classroom. September 24 – November 12, 2014; Eight Sessions/ Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. . – 9:30 p.m.

Stage Makeup: Zombies, Vampires and Ghouls…Oh, my!: Guest artist Stephen Davis takes students through the fascinating world of stage makeup. Just in time for Halloween, students will learn about contouring, as well as techniques to create bruises and wounds, old age and decay. A Ben Nye Theatrical Makeup Kit is required for the class, which will be ordered through The Shakespeare Theatre at a special industry discount — a perfect take-away from the class for students to continue to explore their own mad make-up creations in the future. October 2 – October 9, 2014; Two Sessions/ Thursdays 7:00 p.m. . – 10:00 p.m.

Mask-Making Workshop: Complete your costume this Halloween with Director of Education Brian B. Crowe in this special four-session class exploring the technique of mask-making. Students will examine some of the masks that have graced The Shakespeare Theatre stages and learn how to make a basic plaster cast of their faces to create unique, form-fitted creations of their own. Each participant will leave the class with a plaster cast of his/her face and two masks of their own creation. Basic materials included with the enrollment fee. September 27 – October 18, 2014; Four Sessions/ Saturdays 10:00 a.m. . – 1:00 p.m.

The Shakespeare Theatre Weekend Intensive: An essential introduction (or a wonderful refresher) to performing and teaching Shakespeare! This two-day intensive, led by acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre artists and educators, is a perfect way to “up your game” with the Bard. Sessions include: voice and speech, movement for the actor, text analysis, “the deliciousness of language,” and monologue/scene coaching. Enrollment includes a ticket to the Shakespeare Theatre’s upcoming production of Henry VIII. November 8 – November 9, 2014; Saturday/10:00 a.m. . – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday/ 10:00 a.m. . – 4:00 p.m.