Practical masterclass: acting Shakespeare in English. Schauspieltraining auf englisch.

Leipzig, Germany: as part of their on-going masterclass programme, Ubiquity Theatre Company are producing a 2-day workshop entitled 'Acting Shakespeare in English'. Participants will look at the practical and technical challenges an actor will face when tackling a Shakespearean or classical English text for the stage.

The workshop will be led by professional actor, director and theatre pedagogue GARETH KNAPMAN (Birmingham, UK), who learned and developed his skills in his home country and has been living and working in Leipzig as a director and workshop leader for the past 6 years.

Since finishing his training, Gareth has developed his knowledge and skills as a classical actor and director through touring productions through the UK, 'theatre in education (TIE)' projects for adults and children, along with standard theatre productions of Shakespeare's masterworks (including leading acting and directing roles in Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and Taming of the Shrew).

Gareth set up his company 'Ubiquity Theatre' in Birmingham, UK back in 2002 and brought it with him to Leipzig in 2005. Since then, Ubiquity have established themselves as Leipzig's flag-bearers of the 'Theater für Jedermann' (theatre for everyone) ideal, through their weekly workshop programmes (teaching acting skills to adults and children who have no previous theatre experience), their work with disadvantaged and marginal groups (such as the long-term unemployed, disabled people, drug addicts and prisoners), their work in schools and their masterclass workshops for more experienced actors. Ubiquity run projects and perform in both the English and German languages.

The 2-day workshop will study and bring life the the people, poetry and the complex and historical relationships contained within Shakespeare's works, and will look to develop participants' skills in successfully portraying his characters for an audience. Participants need to have a good level of English and a motivation to challenge themselves and be challenged. All levels of acting experience will be able to challenge their current skills, from the amateur through to the professional actor. At least some stage experience will be beneficial, but not required.

Maximum number of participants: 12

Dates: Fri 29th - Sat 30th April 2011. 10.00 - 17.00 both days. Lunch will be provided.

Location: Ubiquity Theatre Company, Leipzig.

Price: €150 (€100 for students, retired people and the unemployed).

Ubiquity Theatre Company