INTRODUCTORY SHAKESPEARE

Tuesday/Thursday Daytime (Hours TBD)
September 25-October 25
Location TBD
$450
Class size is strictly limited to 10 participants.

William Shakespeare’s work stands apart for its timelessness, its dramatic, literary and linguistic innovations, its complexity, and perhaps most stunningly, its humanity.

This ten-session class is designed to give actors a clearly articulated, fundamental understanding of Shakespeare’s verse, along with tools for speaking it eloquently, with personal depth and ownership. As actors, our fundamental concern is with an oral, expressive, and personal relationship to the text.  We find many clues to dramatic situation, to a character or speaker’s status, state of mind or being, all embedded in the fabric of the plays and sonnets.  The Shakespeare class is a voice and text class, designed to deepen the student’s awareness of the interdependence and connections between the two.

Learn to speak Shakespeare’s words from yourself – using your authentic voice, connected to impulse.

  • ŸWe will spend the first hour of each session doing voice work (primarily Linklater), then move into group and individual work with your chosen text.

 

  • Most of Shakespeare’s text is written in verse (primarily iambic pentameter), but a considerable amount is written in prose.  We will consider the differences between speaking prose and poetry, and will work on matters of verse speaking in some detail.

 

  • We will study the form, i.e. metrical structure, scansion, breath and phrasing, punctuation, etc., but always within the acting context of owning, releasing, and communicating the substance of the text, and the given circumstances, through the channel of a free voice.

 

We will begin with the sonnets, using them as our way in to the structure of the verse, and then move into speeches and/or soliloquies.  The work on speeches and soliloquies will allow you to develop an embodied sense of the synthesis between voice, speech, text, and acting, while weaving the structure and workings of Shakespeare’s verse into that synthesis.  You will gain an understanding of scansion, and the ability to notate it.  These goals will primarily be accomplished through physically based exercises which underscore and reinforce your ability to speak Shakespeare’s words from yourself – using your authentic voice, connected to impulse.

Deepen your connection with text.

Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move in, and that does not restrict your breath in any way.  There is a good floor in the studio, but feel free to bring a yoga mat if you wish, as we will be doing some floor work during most sessions.

  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare
  • Mary Irwin Voice & Text Class
  • Mary Irwin Introductory to Shakespeare

  • “I had the pleasure of being one of Mary’s students at UNC School of the Arts. Her teachings and techniques have stayed with me throughout my entire 10-year career. Her work and coaching is invaluable, she personalizes her teachings to your strengths and pitfalls in such a way that you feel powerful and prepared for anything that comes your way. I am forever grateful for her lessons and teachings and can’t recommend her enough!”

    Nicole Hodges, Actor & Voice Over Artist

  • “Frankly, Mary is an expert voice and speech teacher as well as a private coach. Her work is exceptional. . . Mary is the best of the best and whether you are new to voice and text work or have a mastery of it, Mary's class will be the class you are most happy you attended. Breathe and take advantage of Mary Irwin being in NYC. She is the Real Deal.”

    Laura Henry, Acting Teacher, Coach & Director

  • “Mary Irwin is SPECTACULAR at what she does. In college, she was my instructor for voice, accents, and Shakespeare over the course of three years. She is that rare combination of a professional who is also a teacher. She will make you specific, hold you accountable, and give you the tools you need to succeed. I am so fortunate to have had Mary as an instructor.”

    Timothy Thompson, Actor & Writer

  • Everything I know about theatrical voice and speech I owe to Mary Irwin Furey. She's a master, plain and simple. She does just about anything from accent work to Shakespeare scene study, to simply finding and connecting with ones voice in order to deliver clear, effective, and intention filled speech. Seek her out if you have words but not the means or hows to use them!

    William Connell, Actor

  • "Mary Irwin is a teacher after my own heart. She is always my first call whenever a character and/or script scares me. She helps me unearth and tap into parts unknown. She has given me the tools to step out of my comfort zone and deeper into the truth. Her knowledge of Shakespeare is unmatched, and I consider the Linklater work she taught me to be the foundation of my entire actor's process (and life). Best kept resource in New York."

    Elizabeth Lail - 'You' (Netflix/Hallmark); 'Once Upon a Time' (ABC)

Ready to begin the work? Please fill out the form below for more information about this upcoming class.

Need to “brush up your Shakespeare?” Do you find it to be a challenge? Do you need to learn the basics of verse speaking? Let Mary help you fall in love with Shakespeare within a supportive community of your peers. Please fill out the form below to apply for this class. Please note class sizes are limited to only ten participants. For new students, we will contact you to sent up an initial consultation.