SHAKESPEARE WORKS

Shakespeare Works is The Shakespeare Society’s multifaceted initiative in support of actors, directors and theatrical institutions. Through residencies, workshops, open rehearsals, lectures, post-show discussions, affordable classes and discounted memberships, The Shakespeare Society partners with a range of artists, theaters and cultural institutions to develop and support the production, exploration and appreciation of Shakespeare's works.

Partner institutions have included Classic Stage Company, the Public Theater, Red Bull Theater, Theatre for a New Audience, the Park Avenue Armory, Waterwell, Target Margin, the Continuum Company, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, the Acting Company, Pace University, the Morgan Library and Museum, the Guerrilla Shakespeare Project, and Fiasco Theatre Company.

UP NEXT

RESIDENCIES

The cornerstone of Shakespeare Works is a series of weeklong artist development Residencies. The Society provides participating actors and directors with modest stipends, study materials, rehearsal space and access to artistic, academic, and voice and text advisors who work in order to examine a single Shakespeare play over the course of 1 week (25 to 30 hours). The week concludes with a panel discussion reviewing the week’s work in front of a live audience. The program is designed to give participants the time and space to learn, experiment and explore the plays with a freedom that producing theater companies can rarely provide.  The only residency requirement is that every word of the chosen play be read aloud.

Past participants include directors Martha Clarke, Rebecca Taichman, Davis McCallum, Tom Ridgely, Gregg Mozgala and Sam Gold; actors Michael Cumpsty, Elizabeth Marvel, John Douglas Thomson, Bill Camp, Arian Moayed, Seth Numrich, Gabriel Ebert, Jacob Fishel, Ismenia Mendes, Andre Holland and Michael Stuhlbarg; artistic advisors Jay O. Sanders, Doug Hughes, Michael Greif, Michael Kahn, Richard Easton, Barry Edelstein and Ron Daniels; scholars James Shapiro, Karen Newman, Ruth Carpenter and James Bednarz; and voice and text advisors Deborah Hecht, Elizabeth Smith and Kristin Linklater.

The Shakespeare Society is no longer accepting applications for 2015-16 Residencies. Please check back for future applications and deadlines in the coming months.

AMBASSADORS

(click here for complete details)

The Shakespeare Society's Ambassadors Program is an opportunity for early career theater and teaching artists to continue developing their skills, help The Society further its mission, and connect to a growing network of fellow artists and educators who share their passion for the Bard's works. Actors, directors, teaching artists, and dramaturges who have finished their undergraduate degrees should apply. Past and present Ambassadors have studied at Fordham, NYU, Yale, and Juilliard, and have worked at Lincoln Center, the Folger Library, American Shakespeare Center, and Shakespeare's Globe. They participate in the program for at least 1 year, with the option to stay an additional year as a mentor to incoming participants.

Ambassadors enjoy free admission to Society events, discounted tickets for friends, and opportunities for artistic development throughout The Society's season. Since the program's founding, the Ambassadors have also helped develop new programming for The Society. These have included socials for young people following Major Evening Events; a Shakespeare-themed Halloween party (Fall 2014, 2015); a Shakespeare Society Tumblr; podcasts featuring interviews with special guests; and a popular bi-monthly play discussion group called Bard Club. 

In Fall 2015, the Ambassadors took part in a weekend workshop on King Lear featuring master classes with scholar Tanya Pollard, actor and movement instructor Zach Fine, and actor and teacher Chukwudi Iwuji. On May 4, 2016, the Ambassadors presented their second annual public event at The Pearl Theatre, "Skirmishes of Wit," at which they performed selected scenes from Shakespeare for an audience of invited guests, friends, and Shakespeare Society members. 

The Society is currently accepting applications for 2016-17 Ambassadors.  Please fill out the application form HERE and submit the additional materials requested therein no later than Sunday, July 17.  Actors, please be advised that a brief video audition is required (specifications are in the application).