THIS CLASS IS NO LONGER TAKING ENROLLMENTS. To learn about future opportunities, please join the mailing list.
When will we meet?
This class will meet via Zoom. Participants may choose from:
SUNDAYS (three spots left!) September 11-November 20, 2022 7:00-9:30 p.m. EST
OR
MONDAY'S CLASS IS SOLD OUT September 12-November 21, 2022 7:00-9:30 p.m. EST
Please note: There will be no class on September 25/26.
Once participants register, they will receive an email with a Zoom link, instructions, and all the resources they need to prepare for our first class.
What will we learn?
In this class, we will explore Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar from an actor's perspective. We will read the play together from beginning to end, focusing on the signals and directions for actors that Shakespeare embedded in the text, using tools like rhetoric, poetic devices, verse structure, and more. We'll use what we discover to focus on communicating with clarity and specificity.
Who is this for?
This class is intended to serve a broad range of participants.
- Theatre professionals will deepen their ability to navigate Shakespeare's language for more dynamic storytelling.
- Educators will gain new tools to ignite their students' curiosity.
- Public speakers from all walks of life will gain insight into more effective communication.
- Shakespeare lovers will get an up-close look at what makes this play tick.
How do I tell you which night I want to attend?
At the end of the registration process, you'll be taken to a confirmation survey where you can choose Sunday or Monday.
You should charge more.
These classes have been priced to make them accessible to all who wish to join. But I'll never stop you from paying more! If you feel like leaving a tip, you can do so via Venmo @EstherWilliamson (note: no hyphen).
Are discounts available for artists and people from marginalized groups?
Yes! In order to encourage a rich variety of voices in this class, anyone who needs a discount is invited to request one. Please see here for more details.
No time for class?
You can still brush up on your Shakespeare with this self-directed scansion class.
Meet Your Instructor
Esther Williamson is an actor and teaching artist based in Brooklyn, New York. A proud company member at Taffety Punk Theatre Company in Washington, DC, Esther has been praised by The Washington Post and numerous local critics for her deft handling of heightened text and her grounded, soulful onstage presence. With Taffety Punk, she has performed over half of Shakespeare's canon as well as several new and classic works. She has also acted and taught with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Seattle Shakespeare Company; Book-It Repertory Theatre; Alchemical Theatre of Wilmington, NC; Opera House Arts in Stonington, ME; Happenstance Theater; and many others. She earned her MFA from The Academy for Classical Acting at The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC.
As a teaching artist, Esther values process over product. She seeks to offer tools and strategies for each actor to develop the process that best serves their work. She strives to create a low-pressure, risk-friendly studio environment in which actors can work with joy and freedom. She seeks to help her students feel ready to meet the challenges of a life in art with skill and grace.
For information on private coaching, please send Esther an email at practiceforacto[email protected]
