SHAKESPEARE 101 CHECK LIST

I’m teaching a zoom masterclass on Shakespeare tonight and thought I’d share what I came up with for these talented actors to work on….

1. This is a play about people in certain locations doing things. Step 1 is to demystify Shakespeare. Do the work as if it’s any other script for TV, FILM OR STAGE. If just doing scenes, make sure you read the whole play. Learn all the lines, not just yours, so you can pick up cues.
2. Don’t speak in iambic pantameter. Modern Shakespeare is all about making the words sound like today’s conversations. Break up the poetry into conversational Rhythyms. Ends of lines are not breath points unless there is a punctuation Mark there.
3. Don’t do British accents. American Dialects are more like Shakespeare than modern day British.
4. Script analysis step one: circle every period and comma, also colons and semi colons. Every punctuation is a breath or a lift. 
5. Script analysis step two: underline the most important word in the phrase. Use a pencil. This might change. This should change.
6. Script analysis step three: put a light arc over the emotional word of the sentence.
7. Script analysis step four: paraphrase every statement you make in your own words in the margin or in a journal. Shakespeare can be like singing an opera in a foreign language. You need to truly understand the words. By the way you say and act the words, they will have meaning for any audience. Your subtext and inner monologue will give meaning for the audience. 
8. Inner Monogue: What are you thinking while listening? Give your character control of your inner thoughts. Think in the first person of the character.
9. Subtext: What are you thinking while speaking? Same as above. When sincere, subtext is in line with spoken words. If cynical, sarcastic, dubious etc, subtext will contrast with your spoken words.
10. MAKE BIG CHOICES: Script your inner monologuing and subtext with big choices. How do you feel? What is your intent? etc.
11. ACT WHEN NOT SPEAKING THEN JIST SAY THE LINES: Shakespeare can get very melodramatic to a fault very quickly, so don’t emote while speaking. Feel, deeply, as you listen to your scene partners, THEN just say your words. If you have done the work, your words will have shape. But if you shale them as you speak, it sounds like bad acting or your are reading.
12. WHO ARE YOU CHECKLIST: answer these in the first person of your characters…. What’s your name? How old are you? What is your family tree? Who are your friends? Enemies? Whats your occupation? What do you look like (height, weight, distinguishing characteristics)? What adjectives would you use to describe yourself? What words do others use to describe yourself? Where are you coming from right before this scene? Why did you come here? What are your goals? Obstacles? Plan to achieve/overcome? Now write a short biography about yourself!

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