The first time Driftwood Theatre School instructor Melina Cassidy studied Shake-speare was in Grade 7 — a difficult and harrowing experience.
“The language seemed so complicated, and the teacher wanted us to write essays about themes and characters,” Cassidy said.
“It wasn’t until I saw a live performance at the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon that I began to appreciate Shakespeare.
“When I returned to study Shake-speare again in Grade 12, it was from the perspective of an actor that everything finally began to make sense.”
Cassidy continued to develop her love of Shake-speare through her acting studies at Rose Bruford College where she worked with directors from both the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Globe Theatre. She has taught workshops on Shakespeare to all ages, and is pleased to present the Shakespeare Workshop for Driftwood Theatre School, Nov. 12 to 13, bringing a fresh perspective to The Bard that is guaranteed to entertain, educate and enlighten.
Approaching Shake-speare from the perspective of the actor, rather than as a scholar, she will guide the participants in this workshop through some simple-to-grasp techniques with tricks for understanding Shakespeare’s language. The weekend will also cover speech rhythms and iambic pentameter, Shakespeare’s hidden instructions to the actor and performance techniques.
Combining fun acting exercises with a vast knowledge of the Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre, this promises to be an acting class like no other.
Cassidy welcomes teachers, Shakespeare enthusiasts, budding actors and skilled thespians to join her in the workshop from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $100 ($90 for existing Driftwood Players members and DTS students aged 16 and over). To register, contact Cassidy at 604-989-3929, DTS registrar Sandi McGinnis at 604-886-0143 or email registrar.dts@uniserve.com.
— Submitted
