Bard for Life
In these weekly evening workshops, you’ll join other adults who dream of bringing Shakespeare’s words to life—no experience necessary! Explore Shakespeare’s plays, guided by professional actors, and delight in the discoveries made by you and your playfellows. For adults 19+.
Supported by
Dr. Marshall Dahl
Schedule
Fall 2026
Speeches
| Date | Description | Cost | Register |
| Wednesdays, Sept 23 – Nov 25
6:30-9:00 pm |
Participants will meet each Wednesday evening to prepare speeches from a variety of plays with coaching from Bard teaching artists. | $365 | Join the waitlist |
| Thursdays, Sept 24 – Nov 26
6:30pm-9:00pm |
Participants will meet each Thursday evening to prepare speeches from a variety of plays with coaching from Bard teaching artists. | $365 | Join the waitlist |
FAQ
Who is Bard for Life for?
Bard for Life is a recreational program for adults ages 19+ and all are welcome. It’s perfect for people who’d like to try acting for the first time, or to nurture a longtime creative passion within a supportive, non-judgmental community. While the program involves active participation, activities are adaptable to suit individuals’ needs.
What kind of experience will participants have?
With the help of the teaching artist team, participants choose Shakespeare speeches (in the fall) and scenes (in the winter) to interpret and make their own. Through playful activities, participants explore the language, characters, and situations in their chosen texts. Working in small groups with the support of professional teaching artists each week, participants develop acting skills, increase their facility with complex language, and prepare for an informal performance. In the final session we celebrate our time together by sharing an informal performance for an invited audience of family and friends.
What if I’m new to acting and/or Shakespeare?
Bard for Life is all about welcome and support. Our goal is to inspire community through dynamic, engaging experiences with Shakespeare. We believe wholeheartedly that there’s no right way to interpret Shakespeare. Rather, we welcome participants to explore the language and discover how it resonates for you. We support you as you develop your own unique interpretation, and we celebrate your creativity and courage as you share that in performance. No experience with acting or with Shakespeare is necessary.
What if English is not my native language?
Shakespeare’s language is complex, even for native English language speakers. However, we’ve heard from a few English language learners that performing Shakespeare helped them master the language. If you have enough proficiency to enjoy other types of classes, we can support your experience with Bard for Life.
Is there a final performance?
The final session is a celebration, in which participants are invited to share their work with an invited audience of family and friends.
How does your waitlist work?
When a session is full, we recommend joining the waitlist, as spots often become available. If a spot opens up, we’ll reach out with a time-limited opportunity to fill the spot in wait list order. However, if a spot opens up within two weeks of the first session, we’ll contact the full waitlist, offering the spot first-come, first-served.
What’s your withdrawal policy?
Withdraw in writing at least one month before the first session: full refund, minus a $35 administrative fee.
Withdraw in writing at least two weeks before the first session: a 50% refund will be credited to your account.
Withdraw within two weeks of the first session: No refund.
Bard for Life is a recreational program for adults ages 19+ and all are welcome. It’s perfect for people who’d like to try acting for the first time, or to nurture a longtime creative passion within a supportive, non-judgmental community. While the program involves active participation, activities are adaptable to suit individuals’ needs.
With the help of the teaching artist team, participants choose Shakespeare speeches (in the fall) and scenes (in the winter) to interpret and make their own. Through playful activities, participants explore the language, characters, and situations in their chosen texts. Working in small groups with the support of professional teaching artists each week, participants develop acting skills, increase their facility with complex language, and prepare for an informal performance. In the final session we celebrate our time together by sharing an informal performance for an invited audience of family and friends.
Bard for Life is all about welcome and support. Our goal is to inspire community through dynamic, engaging experiences with Shakespeare. We believe wholeheartedly that there’s no right way to interpret Shakespeare. Rather, we welcome participants to explore the language and discover how it resonates for you. We support you as you develop your own unique interpretation, and we celebrate your creativity and courage as you share that in performance. No experience with acting or with Shakespeare is necessary.
Shakespeare’s language is complex, even for native English language speakers. However, we’ve heard from a few English language learners that performing Shakespeare helped them master the language. If you have enough proficiency to enjoy other types of classes, we can support your experience with Bard for Life.
The final session is a celebration, in which participants are invited to share their work with an invited audience of family and friends.
When a session is full, we recommend joining the waitlist, as spots often become available. If a spot opens up, we’ll reach out with a time-limited opportunity to fill the spot in wait list order. However, if a spot opens up within two weeks of the first session, we’ll contact the full waitlist, offering the spot first-come, first-served.
Withdraw in writing at least one month before the first session: full refund, minus a $35 administrative fee.
Withdraw in writing at least two weeks before the first session: a 50% refund will be credited to your account.
Withdraw within two weeks of the first session: No refund.
Bard Access Fund
Bard Access Fund Information
Established by the Bard Volunteers in 2009, the Access Fund eliminates barriers to participating in Bard programming. Individuals, schools, and community organizations can apply for subsidized access to our Education programs and Festival events. The Fund also creates opportunities for more access by underwriting partnerships and initiatives to address community need.