Introduction to Shakespeare (NYC)
Overview
This course brings together aspiring actors who are serious about acting to do a deep-dive on all things William Shakespeare.
The course runs over action-packed weekend at the LAMDA NYC studio in May 2025.
10% discount for LAMDA Exams Learners.
Highlights
Learn how to unlock the meaning in classical text.
Discover how to connect to character authentically.
Receive expert guidance on audition piece selection.
Work alongside peers in a supportive and creative environment.
Is this course for me?
Age requirement: 18+
No experience is necessary for this course. All you'll need is a desire to learn, explore and collaborate.
Location
In-person at our NYC Studio:
ART NY
520 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
USA
Course Fee
$240
Discount for LAMDA Exams Learners.
Find out more below.
Course Dates
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 May 2025
Classes are 10am - 5:30pm (EST)
Application Deadline
Monday 17 April at 12pm (EST)
Applications are now open. Places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
About the course
This introductory weekend course is the place for you if you’re serious about acting and curious about Shakespeare. We’ll start from the very beginning – taking you through a bunch of exercises which will demystify Shakespeare’s language, help you connect imaginatively to the rhythm and poetry of his writing, and allow you to develop the freedom and confidence to playfully embody his characters.
If you’re thinking about auditioning for drama programs, either in the USA, UK, or elsewhere in the world, this course will give you an excellent grounding in the fundamentals of Shakespeare, and get you feeling confident to select, prepare and perform audition material.
LAMDA is the UK’s oldest drama school and has trained some of Britain’s (and the world’s) foremost actors. We want to continue to produce the most exciting actors of the future, and we are committed to providing accessible, modern and relevant classical actor training.
On this course you’ll receive a fresh, contemporary perspective on Shakespeare, and we hope you’ll finish the weekend feeling as excited as we do about this 450-year-old genius.
What will I learn?
- Understand how to decode and understand Shakespeare’s text.
- Explore techniques to connect you to a character.
- Discover what makes a good audition speech, and tools for a confident audition.
- Collaborate with peers in a supportive and nurturing environment – helping each other to find the truth of Shakespeare’s text through playful exploration.
- Receive expert guidance and feedback from a LAMDA-trained tutor.
About the tutor
This course will be led by Sean Martin, a director, actor, educator and LAMDA graduate with over 20 years of industry experience both in the US and abroad.
Is this course for me?
This course is designed for aspiring actors who have a serious love of theatre and an interest in Shakespeare. You may have done some performing or training before and want to learn more about performing Shakespeare, or you may have no performance experience – either way, you’ll find the course fun and challenging. All we need from you is a desire to learn, explore and collaborate.
Further Information
Please note, the course tutor may be subject to change.
We are thrilled to be offering LAMDA’s world-leading actor training outside of London for the very first time. We are a truly global drama school, having been ranked 6th by the Hollywood Reporter in its 2024 list of the best drama schools in the world. With many of our students being from the USA, and going on to work in the USA, New York City was a natural fit to be the home of our first international studio.
Our hope is that LAMDA NYC can be a hub for US-based LAMDA graduates to continue to train, and for those new to LAMDA to experience our work. We look forward to expanding our studio class offerings, and to bringing a slice of LAMDA training to the big apple.
You must be 18 or older to participate in this course.
The course is delivered through the medium of English. Non-native speakers of English should have a level of English approximately equivalent to IELTS 6.0.
You can apply for this course through us directly.
Course Fee: Introductory price of $240
Application Fee: None
Please see below for information about our cancellation / refund policy:
Contact us on [email protected] if you require assistance.
We're pleased to offer Learners of LAMDA Exams a 10% discount on this class. To receive the discount, please write to [email protected] including:
- Full name
- Year of Examination Date
- Centre of Examination
- Short course(s) you wish to apply for
Please do this before filling out your application, as we will provide you with a separate application link.
Booking is now open for classes at our New York City base through American Friends of LAMDA (AFLAMDA). Experience LAMDA's industry-leading training for aspiring and professional actors. AFLAMDA enables world-leading LAMDA training to be delivered in New York to support the growing US alumni network alongside those new to LAMDA training.
AFLAMDA is a US-based independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) which supports the work of LAMDA. Since its founding, AFLAMDA supporters have helped make the LAMDA's vocational training possible for American students, providing funding for scholarships and financial aid, and widening access to people from all backgrounds and economic circumstances.
