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New Hampshire’s only professional outdoor classical summer repertory company, our aim is to put the “shake back in Shakespeare!”® We are “guerilla-style”, run ‘n gun Shakespeare that can be performed anywhere, anytime, in any condition and performs off of the “Artist-Manager” model featuring a small group of multi-talented performers who form a “lean, mean Shakespeare machine”® that not only encourages audience participation, but provokes it!
THE COURSE: We believe that the only way to learn how to perform Shakespeare is by doing it. But many actors never get the opportunity, because most classical acting companies don’t grant auditions to actors lacking the requisite professional training and experience. It becomes a frustrating “Catch-22”—how can you learn to be a professional actor if no-one ever gives you the chance to be one? Our solution was to create SHAKESPERIMENT--a four week experiential “immersion” lab where, under the guidance of an established and experienced professional Director, participants come together to form an ensemble company, rehearsing and performing full length evening productions (as well as short matinee productions) to be presented in alternating repertory over the course of three weeks at our Main Stage locations (with a fourth week designated as a “holdover”). SHAKESPERIMENT is our “entry level” professional Company for actors whose raw talent is such that we strongly believe could lead to work as a professional actor (and with whom we would like to work) but who lack the skills, training and maturity most companies require of their salaried actors. It attracts early-mid career actors with training and credits in other arenas, most of whom have limited professional Shakespearean experience. Our four year average age is 24-25. (In 2009 age range: 20-32).
THE SETTING:Framed by towering balsams which nestle against towering granite hills in the Lakes and White Mountain region of New Hampshire, our “bare bones bard”® is performed in alternating repertory on simple, outdoor, platform stages in multiple locations with nothing to detract from the force and power of Shakespeare’s words--minimal sets, props, lighting and costumes.
THE PROCESS: This is a dense, intense “boot camp” approach that puts YOU in the spotlight (and in the driver’s seat) making YOU accountable and responsible for your craft, learning and career. “The learning comes through the doing” as you rehearse and open all shows in twelve days. In the months leading up to arrival, you will be given a lot of information to help you prepare for your time with us. All actors arrive “performance ready” off book for all roles, as your work begins within hours of your arrival in NH. Weeks 1 & 2 center around rehearsal, dress and opening all Company A shows. Weeks 3 & 4 allow for some down time, but also feature learning opportunities as well as performances. (Wk 4 features the popular “Business of Acting” workshops). You will be told at the beginning of Week Three if all/some of you are being “held over” for a Week Five extension.
THE SHOWS: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Two Gentleman of Verona”--one of which will feature a rehearsal intensive whereby the participants (under the guidance of the Shakesperiment Director) will devise and create their unique vision for the production of the show—a reflection of the talents, skills, backgrounds and interests of the individual members of the ensemble. In contrast to this “evolutionary discovery” process, the performance of the second evening Main Stage show embraces an “unrehearsed” module focusing on the rare First Folio “cue prompt” performance technique. Practiced by only a handful of companies in the U.S., it serves as a thrilling and challenging performance modality. It is a rare and valuable string to add to any actor’s bow and an experience which both actors and audiences alike rate as “second to none”. For your 3rd show, the actors are divided into two groups-- one performs our Shakespeare-themed Family Matinees and one the sketch comedy improv show “No Holds Bard”. Actors come away with an improved resume that makes them far more employable--professional Main Stage principal roles in 2 Shakespearean shows, First Folio technique and professional Family/Children’s Theatre credits.
CASTING & SELECTION PROCESS: WHAT TO EXPECT: “SHAKESPERIMENT” is highly competitive. (In 2009, over 500 actors applied, with 150 auditions granted in Feb/March and 12 actors cast in late March). Our SHAKESPERIMENT 2010 audition schedule concludes in late February, with actor notification and contract commitments/deposits expected to occur late February through early March. If you accept, you’ll be expected to sign a contract and send a non-refundable ($250) deposit within 2 days of offer, with the balance due no later than April 15th, 2010. Because ”ensemble” is the key to our approach, (ie, “the journey is more important than the destination” in our focus on learning) actors are not assigned roles until AFTER they have signed their contracts. First and foremost, we want you to “check your ego at the door”--committing to your learning by being a part of the ensemble. Our limited cast sizes mean everyone has about the same stage time and all get “moments to shine”.Highlights include:
**Lead roles in two professional Main Stage repertory productions
**40 hours minimum of rehearsal, workshops, lectures, tutorials and exercises a week
**Weekly "check-ins" with key staff
**Guaranteed (future) audition for our salaried company
BY AUDITION & INVITATION ONLY. ALL AGES (18+) AND EXPERIENCE LEVELS ARE ENCOURAGED TO AUDITION
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Cost Includes: Lead Roles in two evening MAIN STAGE productions and either family or sketch comedy improv productions, all workshops, lectures, tutorials, exercises and rehearsals. HOUSING: Bunk-bed dormitory accommodations with 2-4 (same sex) people per room, shared living, bath and kitchen spaces. (Other accommodations available for additional cost.)OTHER: Car is helpful but not necessary as all housing, rehearsals, performances and teaching (as well as some grocery shopping , restaurants, post office) are located within a 2 mile “walking/biking” radius. Participants must provide own food, round trip transportation and sheets/linens/towels at housing.
1. NYC AUDITIONS:
Feb 13th-15th (www.Strawhat-auditions.com)
(open to all NH residents age 18 up)
Sat February 20th 9am-6pm
3.OR via videotape and phone interview. Call 646-314-0790 to arrange
WHAT TO PREPARE: 2 contrasting (Tragedy/History and Romance/Comedy) Shakespearean monologues and one Renaissance/Shakespearean song or madrigal. For those not interviewing in person, please submit a letter explaining why you want to be a part of SHAKESPERIMENT, your goals in the theatre and any relevent information about yourself, a current headshot and resume, including two professional references (prefer those who can speak to your Shakespeare experience)..jpg)
FOR VIDEO/MINI DV/DVD SUBMISSIONS:
1:) You can send it to us via email at info@shakespeareinthevalley.com
(please keep files small)
2:) You can upload your video to a free service like "Youtube", send us a link.
3:) You can send the VHS/MINI DV/DVD to us at:
Theatre Under the Stars
c/o Devlin
1020 Grand Concourse, Suite 20K
Bronx, NY 10451
ALUMNI:
Our alumni have gone on to work in television and feature films as well as with: The Edinburgh Fringe Fest/ART, Theatre at Monmouth, The Shakespeare Festival of New Jersey, The Maryland Shakespeare Festival, national tours with Great Lakes Shakes and Shakespearience and numerous regional companies and national tours through-out the U.S.
PAST PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
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“Now with (Theatre Under the Stars) on my resume, Shakespeare companies who had previously not seen me are now scheduling me for auditions”
Stephanie, 2009 Shakesperiment Participant
“I feel so honored to have been a part of this company. I am so thankful to you for giving me a chance to grow both as an artist and as a performer...I learned so much this summer about both the business and the artistic side of the theatre world. I am more grateful than you will ever know. This was the best summer of my life”
Tucker, 2007 “A Company” (‘07 version of Shakesperiment)
“Seeing that I have performed Shakespearean text as a man, as a woman and in First Folio style definitely makes my resume stand out.”
Meg, 2009 Shakesperiment Participant
“I had the best summer of my life... Unforgettable.... An experience I’ll take with me and treasure always.”
Chrissie, 2006 Intern (Apprentice) Program
“I will never be afraid of Shakespeare ever again”
Chris, 2009 Shakesperiment Participant
“Thank you so much for making this summer so wonderful! This theatre will always have a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to work with you again in the future!”
Stephanie, 2007 (Co. A)