First Day of Camp in High Park

New this summer:  Shakespeare in Action has partnered with Canadian Stage and Shakespeare in High Park.  Our annual Shakespeare for Kids Summer camp will culminate in final performances on the High Park Community Stage.

 

Today was the first day in High Park! The campers got a chance to see the Shakespeare in High Park stage and check out the space we will be performing on. We rehearsed scenes in the space, picnicked for lunch, and the campers started creating a trailer for the show.

 

Joining us this week in the park is Gillian Murphy, the Youth and Outreach Coordinator at Canadian Stage. Today Gillian interviewed two actors at camp, Joel and Tanya, about the experience of being in the park, Shakespearen language, and their thoughts on their characters.

 

Gillian: So, this is your second week of camp! What were you up to last week?

 

Tanya: We got our characters last week, we played a lot of games, and went outside.

 

G: What’s different about being in the park versus the school?

 

Joel: Well the bathrooms are closer. It’s outside, and yeah that’s pretty much it.

 

G: Have you done Shakespeare in Action camp before?

 

J: No.

 

T: No, but I’ve been [to Shakespeare in High Park]. Last year I saw Hamlet and All’s Well That Ends Well

 

G: Did you know about Shakespeare before the camp?

 

J: Yah, my mom was really into it when I was like four, so then I grew into it. I went to a Shakespeare Camp at the library.

 

G: Cool! Have you acted in a Shakespeare play before?

 

J: No.

 

T: Ya. We did Romeo and Juliet at my school.

 

G: And, what are you playing in this show?

 

T: Sebastian, in the Tempest.

 

G: That’s awesome. What does Sebastian try to accomplish in the play?

 

T: To kill Alonso and Gonzalo because he wants to be king of Naples.

 

And what part do you play Joel?

 

J: The King of Naples, Alonso.

 

G: And what does Alonso want to accomplish in the play?

 

J: To find his lost son, Ferdinand.

 

G: So far, is Shakespeare different from any other acting you’ve done?

 

T: Yes, the words are different. It’s harder to understand because you don’t know what the words are.

 

G: How do you go about understanding them better?

 

T: We have a Shakespeare dictionary so we just search it up and find out what the word is. I think the Master’s first scene we searched up a word for her and that very sentence was in the dictionary.

 

G: What about you Joel, is the language the hardest part?

 

J: Not really. I sort of understand it. Compared to normal acting it’s really different.

 

G: Is it a fun different?

 

J: It’s a nice challenge.

 

G: If I was going to put this on the blog what would you want people to know about your first day in the park?

 

T: It is fun and very interesting. We finally saw the stage, we actually get fresh air, and our whole class doesn’t have to go to the washroom together.

 

J: It’s very nice.

 

T: They should come to the camp!

 

J: And every single show!

 

G: And pay lots of money?

 

J: Yah.

 

Come Catch our Groundlings (age 7 – 10) perform The Tempest on the High Park Community Stage on Friday July 14th at 2:30PM!    If interested, RSVP to education@shakespeareinaction.org.

High Park Community Stage is located on the Shakespeare in High Park premises, beside the High Park Amphitheatre.

October Artist Feature- Kristian Hansen

 

Meet Kristiaan Hansen, one our assistant directors for Shakespeare Kids and Teen Camps this summer. He is back in the thick of things up at York University finishing his bachelors for the year and we wish him the best!

Q & A

What interests you in a 400 year old text?:

The challenge of finding my own voice, as well as finding new life, new meaning, and a new way to tell the story!

What is your approach to acting?

The thing is to BE there, be breathing, and be ready to play like a kid again!

Any performances/actors/personal experiences that influence you as an actor?

Patrick McManus in Peter Hinton’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ last summer at the Shaw Festival! Patrick’s openness and playfulness in the moment made the work so natural and beautiful to watch! I would love to work with him one day.

Why Shakespeare in Action?

I previously had the chance to work with Michael Kelly during our Shakespeare module at York last year, so I’d heard quite a bit about the company! In addition to that, I’ve always loved working with children, and wanted to see how a teaching role would broaden my horizons as an actor!

What is your favourite Shakespeare film adaptation?

My favourite film adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s plays is Kenneth Branagh’s version of ‘Hamlet’!

Acting for Non-Actors – Discover the power of acting!

At Shakespeare In Action, we believe creativity is the most transferable skill in the 21st century. This workshop is meant for adult beginners who want to develop their own creativity, communication, memory and social skills. Lead by highly experienced acting teachers, participants will take risks, make friends and make great theatre. Participants will enhance the clarity, impact and credibility of their acting and presentations with personal style, authenticity and passion.

Classes at 598b Yonge St at Shakespeare In Action’s Rehearsal Space.

Weekly classes Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm from October 4th, 2016 – November 22th 2016

In this 8 week workshop activities include:

  • Improvisational exercises that focus on trusting your impulses and build positive energy
  • Voice and speech methods to develop skills in overcoming fear and tension.
  • Learn how to prepare for a theatre audition or a formal speaking engagement.
  • A high energy hands-on participation workshop
  • Learn the fundamental vocabulary of acting
  • Explore the essential skills that actors need for presentation
  • Learn to use body language and speech variations such as volume, pitch, fluency and articulation to create a positive and dynamic presence
  • Storytelling exercises that conveys authenticity and personal style
  • Exploring approaches & techniques to acting and character development
  • Understand how to critically examine text and subtext
  • Prepare a speech or monologue for presentation
  • Receive individual coaching
  • Meet new people and have fun in a low-pressure environment!

Act. Perform. Laugh & Learn

For more information email us at info@shakespeareinaction.org or call our office at 416 703 – 4881

Acting for Non-Actors – Discover the power of acting!

At Shakespeare In Action, we believe creativity is the most transferable skill in the 21st century. This workshop is meant for adult beginners who want to develop their own creativity, communication, memory and social skills. Lead by highly experienced acting teachers, participants will take risks, make friends and make great theatre. Participants will enhance the clarity, impact and credibility of their acting and presentations with personal style, authenticity and passion.

Classes at 598b Yonge St at Shakespeare In Action’s Rehearsal Space.

Weekly classes Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm from October 4th, 2016 – November 22th 2016

In this 8 week workshop activities include:

  • Improvisational exercises that focus on trusting your impulses and build positive energy
  • Voice and speech methods to develop skills in overcoming fear and tension.
  • Learn how to prepare for a theatre audition or a formal speaking engagement.
  • A high energy hands-on participation workshop
  • Learn the fundamental vocabulary of acting
  • Explore the essential skills that actors need for presentation
  • Learn to use body language and speech variations such as volume, pitch, fluency and articulation to create a positive and dynamic presence
  • Storytelling exercises that conveys authenticity and personal style
  • Exploring approaches & techniques to acting and character development
  • Understand how to critically examine text and subtext
  • Prepare a speech or monologue for presentation
  • Receive individual coaching
  • Meet new people and have fun in a low-pressure environment!

Act. Perform. Laugh & Learn

For more information email us at info@shakespeareinaction.org or call our office at 416 703 – 4881

Thank You Young Company!

Another successful run of SIA’s Young Company for Teens Camp. We must take the time out to shout out everyone who was involved in making this camp so successful.

Our young teens have embarked on a 4 week long, intensive journey into acting, film production and film techniques. Our teens bravely took one one of Shakespeare’s great plays Richard III – this intense, historical play allowed our teens to work closer within the text to analyze and study their relationships with their characters on a deeper level. The teens also disembarked from traditional stage performances to a different and innovative site-specific approach for the presentation of the play.

This innovative approach was guided by our Director – Joe Bucci, Assistant Director – Justine Christensen. Stage Manager – Danielle Laurin and our principal Photographer/Videographer Sophia Sam.

We must also thank our senior staff of Michael Kelly, Jeanine Thrasher and Neil Silcox for all our their hard work preparing and prepping for months to make this camp so successful. It’s been a fantastic SIA summer and we hope to see you all next year!

 

August Artist Feature – Aris Athanasopoulos

Aris is a graduate of York University’s acting conservatory (BFA – honours). He has been working with Shakespeare in Action for eight years, leading sessions at their Toronto public library programs over that time. This is his second consecutive year directing the summer camp program. He is incredibly excited to be working with everyone again. Select professional theatre credits include: The Railway Children (Damien Cruden – Mirvish/Marquis Entertainment), Theatre of the Film Noir (Mirek Polatynski – Atlas Stage Productions Canada), New Jerusalem (Mitchell Cushman – Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company), and Finer Noble Gasses (Kevin Jake Walker – SummerWorks).

 

1. How did you get into the performing arts? 

I was attracted to theatre and performance at a very early age, but it wasn’t something I actually did until high school. I was way too shy and quiet to participate before then. My first encounter with the performing arts was filled with envy and regret. My elementary school put on a production of The Gingerbread Man for the Christmas concert when I was in 3rd grade (my memory says 3rd grade, it could’ve been earlier). I was too afraid to audition for the show, so I didn’t. My best friend got the part of the lead, the Gingerbread Man, and was excellent in it (we’re still best friends, but he’s not an actor). I vowed that I’d never miss an opportunity like that again. I had to wait eight years, because the next one came in grade 11.

2. What is your biggest pop culture guilty pleasure?

So You Think You Can Dance – when I had cable, I watched it religiously.

3. Who are your favourite playwrights other than Shakespeare?

John Patrick Shanley, John Logan, Edward Albee

4. What do you do when you’re not acting?

When I’m not acting, I’m writing screenplays and directing short films, with the hope that I can direct a feature sometime in the near future (and hopefully many more features after that). I play softball, soccer, golf, and I watch all sports obsessively. Especially the English Premier League. I’m a Liverpool supporter #You’llNeverWalkAlone.

5. What is your favourite Shakespearean quotation/line?

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.

Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail

Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,

Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined,

With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances;

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide

For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”

 6. What was your favourite moment working with youth?

Directing the summer camp show last year. Over the entire two-week process I got to witness such wonderful growth in all sixteen of the participants. It had a profound effect on me and it’s the reason why I came back again this year. Their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the best version I’ve ever seen. Not because I directed it, but because each participant put every bit of themselves into it and performed it so beautifully. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

 

Kids Summer Camp Success – Thank You

After another successful run of our Shakespeare for Kids Summer Camp, we must take the time out to thank everyone who made this year possible.

Kids ages 8-12 years old bravely took on Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” – the show was split into two versions. Based on our kids wonderful imaginations, they decided to set the first version in the city of Paris. The second, was set in the fashionable districts of Tokyo, Japan. These innovative versions of Shakespeare’s best loved play has never been done this way by Shakespeare In Action before.

Our kids worked for two weeks remembering lines, designing props and costumes. All the while they were building friendships and confidence. We would take the time out to thank all of our wonderful camp participants for bringing their enthusiasm, energy and fearlessness to camp everyday!

We must also thank our Director  – Aris Athanasopoulos
Assistant Directors  – Kristiian Hansen and Gabriella Sundar Singh
Stage Manager – Danielle Laurin and our principal Photographer/Videographer Sophia Sam.

Lastly, for all of their hard work, coordination and patience leading up to camp, we must thank our Camp Coordinator, Jeanine Thrasher as well as our senior staff Managing Producer, Neil Silcox and Artistic Director, Michael Kelly.

Our camp is such an enriching and fun experience for kids who come to realize a great love  for classic literary works, and a passion for performance and fun! We look forward to bringing you more next year!

 We’re Moving!

Shakespeare In Action has a new home! Our office has been in residence at CTA (Central Toronto Academy) on Shaw St, Toronto for the past six years.

We are excited to announce that we will be moving to 598b Yonge St, Toronto –  located on 3rd floor of the Glad Day Bookstore at intersection of Yonge and Wellesley.

Feel free to stop by and say HI!

Toronto Fringe 2016 – #scarecrow

Celia Aloma is one of SIA artists, who will be performing in #scarecrow. The first full-length play by Chantel McDonald and first production for Hard-Bitten Productions! This play was well-received in the Piece of Mine festival Fall 2015, and they can’t wait to produce it at the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival at the Robert Gill Theatre.

#scarecrow is a dark comedy which explores how our projected image can feel more real than our skin. It examines how our friendships, lifestyles and even our sense of self are being shaped by social media.  We are asking what are the possible consequences when we fall short of the person we portray to be online.

Dates and Times ;

Friday July 1, 5:15pm
Saturday July 2, 9:15pm
Monday July 4, 6:30pm
Wednesday July 6, 12pm
Thursday July 7, 3:30pm
Friday July 8, 9:15pm
Sunday July 10, 2:45pm