Shakespeare On The Sound is popping indoors at the Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio to provide two opportunities for teens to study, perform and fall in love with the Bard’s work:
—”Shakespeare or What You Will” — a class for Grades 9 through 12
—”Twelfth Night, Jr.” — a summer camp for Grades 7 through 10.
Shakespeare or What You Will
Image from Wikimedia Commons
This was long thought to be the only portrait of William Shakespeare that had any claim to have been painted from life, until another possible life portrait, the Cobbe portrait, was revealed in 2009. The artist may be by a painter called John Taylor.
Claire Kelly, artistic director for Shakespeare on the Sound and the organization’s Education Director, Nick Urda are teaching “Shakespeare or What You Will” this spring.
— an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Students will uncover the secrets of performing, understanding and loving Shakespeare. Over the course of the program, participants will learn how to analyze text, develop a character, strengthen performance skills, and conquer cold feet.
There will be a culminating event where students will have the chance to perform their scenes and soliloquies for family and friends in the DAC Weatherstone Studio. The class runs from April 4 through May 16 on Thursdays, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The fee for the class is $250.
Twelfth Night, Jr.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
The Charles Cobbe portrait, claimed to be a portrait of William Shakespeare. Many scholars dismiss this theory and have provided evidence to identify the portrait as one of Sir Thomas Overbury.
Twelfth Night, Jr. is a rare opportunity to delve into one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, and is ideal for budding actors this summer.
Rehearsals take place in the DAC Weatherstone Studio with a culminating performance on the Shakespeare On The Sound stage in Rowayton on July 5.
After creating a supportive and nurturing ensemble through acting exercises and theatre games, the campers will explore and rehearse a forty-five minute version of Twelfth Night directly adapted from the script used in the Shakespeare on the Sound production.
This intensive camp promotes artistic self-expression, collaboration, literacy, self-confidence, and self-reliance. It runs from June 24th through July 5th from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The fee for the camp is $910.
“I think it is important for local not-for-profit arts organizations to support each other in partnership when their goals align,” said Claire Kelly, artistic director for Shakespeare on the Sound.
Contributed photo
Claire Kelly, artistic director of Shakespeare on the Sound.
“Both Shakespeare on the Sound and the Darien Arts Center believe strongly in empowering young members of the community to find their voice through arts education, specifically in our case, theater arts,” Kelly said.
Maria Pizzarello, Theatre Program Director at the Darien Arts Center, said “Partnering with Shakespeare on the Sound is truly exciting for us. Not only does the partnership introduce new artists to the Darien Arts Center, Shakespeare on the Sound is bringing their expertise and wonderful talent to the students of Darien.”
Visit the DAC website to register or for more information. For questions, call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.