71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 413-648-SHEA

MSF ZOOM WORKSHOP SERIES with Hannah Young of the RSC UK

Friday, February 7, 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm
'The Actor’s Approach to a Shakespearean Role - Where to Begin'- Whether you’re a seasoned actor or a newcomer to the world of Shakespeare, Hannah Young’s workshop is designed to provide a structured, insightful approach to understanding an

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Whether you’re a seasoned actor or a newcomer to the world of Shakespeare, Hannah Young’s workshop is designed to provide a structured, insightful approach to understanding and embodying Shakespearean roles.


Hannah Young, a celebrated actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company and a major contributor to their outreach and educational department, will lead you through an exploration of Shakespeare's characters with her unique insights gained from years of performing in productions such as The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, King Lear, and many others. Her diverse background in theatre, television, film, and radio enriches her ability to bring Shakespeare's language to life and make it accessible for actors at all stages of their careers.


This Zoom workshop, titled “The Actor’s Approach to a Shakespearean Role: Where to Begin”, will delve into the fundamentals of approaching a Shakespearean role from an actor’s perspective. Whether you’re preparing for an audition, rehearsing for a production, or simply want to understand the intricacies of performing Shakespeare, this session will help demystify the process of connecting with Shakespeare’s language and characters.

What to Expect from the Workshop:

  • Analyzing the Text: Learn how to break down Shakespeare’s complex language to understand your character’s objectives, motivations, and emotional journey. Hannah will share strategies for analyzing verse, prose, and soliloquies to reveal their deeper meanings.
  • Character Development: Explore how to approach character development by interpreting textual clues, historical context, and performance dynamics. Hannah’s extensive experience with Shakespearean roles will help guide participants to create fully realized, authentic characters.
  • Embodying the Role: Discover techniques for physically and vocally embodying your character. Hannah emphasizes the importance of voice work, movement, and understanding rhythm to bring the text alive in an engaging and natural manner.
  • Interactive Participation: This workshop encourages active participation. Whether you choose to work directly with Hannah on a piece of text or observe others, you’ll have the opportunity to receive personalized guidance and feedback in a supportive setting.
  • Creating a Personal Connection: Shakespeare’s characters are timeless and universal. Learn how to find a personal connection to your role, ensuring that your performance resonates with contemporary audiences while staying true to the original text.
  • Community Engagement: Join a group of fellow actors and Shakespeare enthusiasts, and connect with others who share your passion for theatre. Engage in discussions, share insights, and support each other’s journey in bringing Shakespeare’s words to life.

Acting Credits:

  • Act (Print Room)
  • Terminal 3 (Print Room)
  • The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, The Winter’s Tale, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Coriolanus, The Drunks, Little Eagles, American Trade (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • The Lady From the Sea (Birmingham Rep), Songs of Grace and Redemption (Theatre503)
  • Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Liverpool Everyman), The French Lieutenant’s Woman (Yvonne Arnaud), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Desire Me (West End)
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Importance of Being Ernest (Deptford)

About Hannah Young

Trained at Exeter University. Hannah has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing in iconic roles across numerous productions, including The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and King Lear. In addition to her stage work, Hannah has appeared on television in Doctors, The Robinsons (BBC), Waking the Dead (BBC), Offenders, and Alan’s Breakfast, as well as in independent films and radio dramas, including The Archers (Radio 4). Her passion for education and outreach makes her an inspiring teacher, capable of helping participants make Shakespeare's language their own and bring his timeless characters to life with confidence and creativity.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Underwriters

Australis Aquaculture • Artisan Beverage Cooperative • Benjamin Company • Berkshire Brewing Company • Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency • Community Credit • Common Capital • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts • Connecticut River Internists • Dean's Beans • Easthampton Savings Bank • FirstLight GDF Suezna • Gill Tavern • Goff Media • Great Falls Harvest • Green River Festival • Greenfield Community College • Greenfield Cooperative Bank • Greenfield Savings Bank • Loot • Massachusetts Cultural Council • Montague Bookmill Montague WebWorks • Northeast Solar • People's Pint • Rainmaker Consulting • The Rendezvous • Solar Store of Greenfield • Stobierski and Connor • Told Video • True North Transit • Turn It Up

Exciting News for A Happening IV: Leviathan

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous grant from the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice to support our 2024 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening IV: Leviathan.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 30 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by folklore, fairy tales, horror motifs, American literature, and the mythos of the Old Testament, all of which delve into the central question guiding the festival: "What does it mean to encounter something greater than yourself and to be consumed by it?" Through this theme, we explore how a community reemerges and imagines itself after destruction and transformation.

With the support of the Markham-Nathan Fund, we are excited to create an event that complicates perspectives and fosters meaningful dialogue. We are grateful for this partnership and for the work of the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!