Bard for Life
Give yourself permission to play! 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+.
Session Registration
FALL 2022 SERIES
| Session | Description | REGISTER |
| Playing Shakespeare
With Mary Hartman October 19 | 7-9pm |
Although they’re often referred to as works, Shakespeare wrote plays. In this session, we’ll discover how play awakens creativity and illuminates ideas. All are welcome to join in the playful, non-threatening fun! |
SESSION COMPLETE |
| Movement for Every Body
With Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg October 26 | 7-9pm
|
Join Bard choreographer Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg and find playful and satisfying ways to tap into the power of expression through gesture, movement, motion and “dancing” in a safe, ‘nobody is watching’ sort of way. Text will serve as a doorway into the power of every body to find deeper meaning and understanding. | SESSION COMPLETE |
| Mark my words: Making Shakespeare’s Text Your Own
With Mary Hartman & Jennifer Lines November 2 | 7-9pm
|
This session will give participants a series of tools for exploring the various features in Shakespeare’s language to unlock sense, uncover personal meaning, and unleash creativity. | SESSION COMPLETE |
| Ourselves be seen: Simplicity and truth in acting
With Moya O’Connell November 9 | 7-9pm
|
One of the biggest challenges of any theatre artist is connecting in a truthful, authentic way. This workshop is designed to gently allow actors to reconnect to impulse and find connection without presentation. Using breath exercises, improvisations, and selected text we will work towards simplicity and truth. | SESSION COMPLETE |
| Lend me your ears: Shakespeare’s art of persuasion
With Mary Hartman November 16 | 7-9pm
|
Shakespeare’s education, and therefore his plays, are steeped in rhetoric. In this session we’ll explore the myriad linguistic techniques Shakespeare’s characters use to delight, beguile, and persuade to get what they want. | SESSION COMPLETE |
| Worthy voices: Voicing Shakespeare
With Alana Hawley Purvis November 23 | 7-9pm
|
Join Bard vocal coach Alana Hawley-Purvis as she shares vocal exercises to support presence, connection, and resonance. Gain valuable tools, not only for playing Shakespeare, but for any spoken communication. | SESSION COMPLETE |
| Working Together as an Ensemble
With Scott Bellis November 30 | 7-9pm
|
How do actors offer their ideas, insights, and inspiration to the stage while making room for others’ contributions? How do we find chemistry and support collaboration? Bard mainstay Scott Bellis brings his vast experience as an actor and director to share some strategies for supporting a productive and joyful creative process. | SESSION COMPLETE |
WINTER 2023: Bard for Life Ensemble
| January 18 – March 29 | 6:30- 9:30pm
With Mary Hartman & Santana Berryman |
Every Wednesday evening, participants collaborate to prepare an abridged play for an informal performance. |
Bursary
Bard for Life Bursary Information
Established in 2009 by the Bard Volunteers, the fund helps individuals, families, schools and organizations overcome financial barriers to participation in our programs.