The trouble with Shakespeare...is that no one can understand him! Why are his works considered such classics? We’ve seen the performances and read the plays and frankly, it’s still a mystery. So why, if he is so hard to understand, is he considered one of the best wordsmiths ever? Why are we still performing his plays, hundreds of years after they’ve been written? Why are his characters and plays considered timeless? This class will focus on answering some of these questions by not only figuring out how to interpret Shakespeare’s writings but on bringing them to life in a full body, brain, and vocal experience. We’ll spend some time looking at his classic works and characters, discuss his rather bawdy sense of humor as well as his flair for tragedy, and bring it all to life in a showcase designed to entertain the groundlings (ahem, audience members).

**Note -This class will involve a lot of movement and physicality as well as light homework. Please come to class
prepared and in CYT appropriate clothing which allows for a free range of movement.**