ONLINE ACTING INTENSIVE
PERFORMING SHAKESPEARE
4 Monday Afternoons | September 30 - October 21
With Red Bull Theater Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director NATHAN WINKELSTEIN ​​
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1:30 PM - 5:00 PM EDT​
Location | ZOOM
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Class size is limited to 12 participants | $275 per student
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​“HOLD AS ‘TWERE, THE MIRROR UP TO NATURE ”​
‘The Pied Piper of Shakespeare’ Red Bull Theater's Associate Artistic Director Nathan Winkelstein returns to teach his 4 week class on Shakespeare’s monologues. Combining a rigorous examination of verse and rhetoric with a more Methodian approach Nathan will help you to find the ‘why’ of shakespeare’s text and bring his words to life through dynamic and truthful choices.
Essential Question:
How do you approach Shakespeare’s text with knowledge and confidence, utilizing the clues and tools in the verse to find the dynamic truth of your character and situation? What aspects of an actor’s preparation are most essential when approaching Shakespearian performance? How do you engage honestly with Shakespeare’s text in high-stress environments such as auditions or self-tapes?
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Course Objectives:
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Demystify Shakespeare’s words
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Learn how to use Shakespeare’s verse, text, and rhetoric to find clues about your character
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Prepare one monologue that you are confident and excited to use in audition settings
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Clarify the perceived difference between "acting for the camera" and "acting for the stage"
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Enduring Understandings:
Actors will learn that Shakespeare’s language is not an archaic fortress that requires a knowledge of the rules to enter but rather an intensely honest heightened text with a multitude of tools that can aid and assist an actor on their journey to the truth. In this class, actors will learn how to demystify Shakespeare and his verse and find the internal truth of the character. By the end of the class, actors will have secured a Shakespearean monologue ready for NYC auditions and beyond.
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For those who are steeped in Shakespeare but wary of the camera, this class can bridge that gap by showing that there was never a gap to begin with. For actors who have never tackled Shakespeare before, this class will help them dive into the power of his language and the deep emotional truths of his characters.
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Instructor:
NATHAN WINKELSTEIN ​has been with Red Bull Theater for nine years, and Associate Artistic Director for four. He is the Producing Director of the Revelation Reading Series as well as the host of Red Bull Podcasts, the Director of Education and the Casting Director for Red Bull. Nathan has acted or directed for numerous companies around the country, including The Alley, NYU Grad, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Shakespeare Theater Company, LCT, The Folger, American Shakespeare Center, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and others. Dubbed 'The Pied Piper of Shakespeare' Nathan provides private acting coaching to select clients and has taught for Red Bull, STC, LCT, TGS and Maggie Flanagan Studio. Nathan received his BA in Theater from the University at Buffalo and his MFA in Classical Acting from the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK. Nathan is a proud member of Actors' Equity and SDC.
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Schedule:
Class 1: ‘SUIT THE ACTION TO THE WORD’
Class will begin with a breakdown of Nathan’s methodology on performing Shakespeare and making a piece your own by finding clues in the text to deliver your best version of the speech. Actors will bring in the piece they will work on for the rest of the class and basic character question and given circumstances will be discussed.
Class 2: ‘WORDS WORDS WORDS’
Half the Class will work on the texts of their monologues with Nathan learning how to examine text and excavate truth.
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Class 3: ‘SPEAK THE SPEECH’
The other half the Class will work on the texts of their monologues with Nathan learning how to examine text and excavate truth.
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Class 4: ‘THE READINESS IS ALL’
The Class will present their monologues once more in a mock audition format with feedback.
Preparation:
You should have a classical monologue you wish to work on. You can also bring options of multiple pieces to work on. Ideally the piece will be one you are already familiar with.
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Technical needs:
You will need a computer that can support Zoom as well as a decent webcam and microphone (built-in are acceptable). You will need a steady internet that can support video conferencing. Front light is recommended as well as a quiet space.
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Concerns? Questions?
Contact Nathan Winkelstein.
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​All of our teachers are committed to these classes. As working artists, unexpected conflicts may arise. If this were to happen, Red Bull would strive to provide an equally qualified replacement to ensure the quality of your experience. We thank you in advance for this understanding.
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