MASTERING SHAKESPEARE (ONLINE)
🌟 How To Act with Shakespeare and Approach the Language & Characters with Confidence 🌟
Do you want to command the legendary Shakespearean stage with confidence? Do the plays, the language and characters seem a tad overwhelming at times?
Acting Out Drama School proudly presents our online Shakespeare acting course: Mastering Shakespeare, where you’ll journey into the heart of classical theatre. Feel empowered as you breathe fresh life into the timeless masterpieces.
Watch a sneak preview below….
Here’s What You'll Learn…
✅ The Mystery of Shakespearean Texts: Embark on a timeless exploration of the intricacies of Shakespeare. Jake will guide you through the nuances, helping you decode the rich tapestry of words and start feeling more confident with the text.
✅ The Language: Dive deep into the poetic beauty and rhythmic cadence of the Shakespearean language. Learn how to wield iambic pentameter and understand the power and beauty of verse.
✅ Approaching a Character: Discover the secrets to understanding and embodying Shakespearean characters. Jake’s comprehensive experience and approach will equip you with the tools to breathe life into every role as well as unraveling the complexities and subtleties that make each character unique.
✅ Play Analysis: Delve into the enchanting worlds of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "A Winter's Tale," and the tragic masterpiece "King Lear." Explore the intricacies of each play, gaining insights that will enrich your understanding of Shakespearean storytelling.
✅ Shakespearean Scene Study: From comedic interludes to tragic confrontations, master the art of shakespearean scene work, learning how to navigate the dynamics of each moment (including the unsaid ones).
✅ Monologue Study: Act with compelling and emotionally charged monologues that captivate your audience. Through in-depth analysis and practical exercises and understand how to communicate the profound emotions embedded in Shakespeare's text.
✅ Soliloquy Study: Step into the shoes of Shakespeare's most iconic characters in their vulnerable and powerful moments. Unearth the hidden depths of your character’s soul, their motivation and emotional arcs.
✅ Personalised Feedback: Receive constructive feedback and individualised guidance on your acting with a self-tape submission task, accessed by an industry professional.
Cost: £195.00
(for the whole course including personalised feedback)
Why Choose Us?
🎭 Expert Instructors: Learn from seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience in classical theatre and a passion for nurturing the next generation of Shakespearean actors.
🌎 Flexible Online Learning: Access the course from anywhere, at any time. Fit your studies around your schedule, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare at your own pace.
✨ Community Support: Join a vibrant community of like-minded actors, fostering collaboration, feedback, and camaraderie that will enhance your learning experience.
🌠 Personalised Feedback: Receive constructive feedback and individualised guidance on your work from an industry professional. Hone your craft and reach your full potential with our help.
Start right now and turn yourself into a Shakespearean Confident Actor!
How Does it Work?
All your content in the program curriculum is accessible through an exclusive, easy to follow, private membership portal via The Professional Performance Association.
You have access to your course 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
You just log in whenever you are ready to start, in your own time and your own space.
The training is delivered via videos, PDFS, workbook resources and feedback submissions.
The portal can also easily be accessed via your phone too.
Are you ready to get confident with Shakespeare?
Mastering Shakespeare Online – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mastering Shakespeare Online course?
Mastering Shakespeare Online is an online acting course from Acting Out Drama School designed to help actors understand, approach and perform Shakespeare with greater confidence. The course explores Shakespearean language, verse, character development, play analysis, scene study, monologues and soliloquies. It combines practical acting guidance with resources and personalised feedback on your performance.
Can I learn how to act Shakespeare online?
Yes. Mastering Shakespeare is a flexible online acting course that allows you to develop your Shakespeare skills from anywhere. Through video lessons, PDF resources, workbook materials and practical exercises, you can learn how to approach classical text, understand character intentions, explore Shakespearean language and bring scenes and monologues to life. You can work through the course at your own pace and submit a self-tape for personalised professional feedback.
Is this Shakespeare acting course suitable for beginners?
The course is suitable for actors who want to develop their understanding and confidence when working with Shakespeare. You do not need to be an established classical actor to benefit. It can be particularly valuable if you find Shakespeare's language challenging, are new to classical acting or want to build a stronger foundation in approaching Shakespearean text and characters.
What will I learn on the Mastering Shakespeare course?
The course covers several key areas of Shakespearean acting, including:
Understanding Shakespeare's language and meaning.
Exploring verse, rhythm and iambic pentameter.
Analysing Shakespearean plays and characters.
Developing character motivation and emotional understanding.
Shakespearean scene study and interaction.
Working on monologues and soliloquies.
Understanding the subtext and meaning behind the words.
Developing your performance through practical work and personalised feedback.
Will I learn how to understand Shakespeare's language?
Yes. A key part of the course is learning how to approach Shakespeare's language with greater confidence. You will explore the meaning behind the words, the rhythm and structure of Shakespearean verse, and the use of iambic pentameter. The aim is to help you understand what a character is saying, why they are saying it and how to communicate those thoughts clearly and truthfully to an audience.
What is iambic pentameter, and will I learn about it?
Iambic pentameter is a rhythmic pattern commonly used in Shakespeare's verse, typically made up of five iambic units in a line. Understanding rhythm can help actors recognise emphasis, intention and meaning within Shakespeare's writing. The course introduces you to the language and rhythm of Shakespeare so that you can make more informed and confident performance choices.
Which Shakespeare plays are studied during the course?
The course explores selected Shakespearean works, including A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Winter's Tale and King Lear. These plays provide opportunities to investigate different styles, characters, themes and dramatic situations, helping you develop a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's storytelling and performance techniques.
Does the course include practical Shakespeare monologue and scene work?
Yes. The course includes Shakespearean scene study, monologue work and soliloquy study. You will explore character motivation, emotional intention, subtext and the relationships between characters. This practical approach helps you move beyond simply learning the words and towards creating a more engaging and considered performance.
Will I receive feedback on my Shakespeare acting?
Yes. The course includes a practical self-tape submission task, which is reviewed by an industry professional. You will receive personalised, constructive feedback and guidance to help you develop your performance. Please allow approximately two to three weeks for feedback to be produced, although it will be sent as soon as possible.
Can I study Shakespeare online at my own pace?
Yes. Mastering Shakespeare is a self-paced online course. You can access the private membership portal 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and study whenever it suits you. This makes it suitable for actors balancing training with work, education, auditions or other commitments.
Can I access the Shakespeare acting course on my phone?
Yes. The online learning portal can be accessed on your phone as well as other suitable devices, allowing you to watch training videos and access course resources wherever it is convenient for you.
How much does the Mastering Shakespeare Online course cost?
The Mastering Shakespeare Online course is currently £195. This includes access to the course materials and the personalised feedback element, including your practical self-tape submission task. There are no separate fees listed for the included feedback.
Do I need to live in Edinburgh or Scotland to enrol?
No. Because Mastering Shakespeare is delivered online, you can enrol from anywhere in the UK or internationally. You do not need to attend classes in person or live near Acting Out Drama School. You can access your learning materials online and complete the course in your own time.
Why choose Acting Out Drama School for Shakespeare acting training?
Acting Out Drama School is an award-winning drama school with over 20 years of experience in acting and performance training. Our approach combines professional industry experience with supportive, practical tuition designed to help students develop their skills and confidence. Mastering Shakespeare offers the flexibility of online learning alongside practical performance work and individualised feedback, giving you the opportunity to develop your classical acting technique wherever you are based.
Will this course help me prepare for Shakespeare auditions?
The course can help you develop skills that are valuable when preparing for Shakespeare auditions, including understanding classical text, exploring character motivation, approaching verse and developing monologues and soliloquies. The practical work and personalised feedback can also help you reflect on your performance choices and identify areas for development. It does not guarantee audition success or professional work, but it can provide useful training for actors wishing to strengthen their classical acting skills.
📣 Please note, your feedback from one of our industry professionals can take around 2-3 weeks to produce. We will always get this to you as soon as we can. 📣



