WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2008 SHAKESPEARE LAB. PLEASE CHECK BACK WITH US NEXT YEAR!

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

Now entering its fourteenth year, The Public Theater Shakespeare Lab presents a unique opportunity for actors to develop their classical skills. Founded by former artistic producer of The Public Theater, Rosemarie Tichler, the Lab immerses the actor in Shakespeare’s plays and language under the instruction of some of the most respected teachers of classical theater in New York and the world. In previous years, faculty has included Christopher Bayes, Ron Van Lieu, Michael Cumpsty, John Dias, Kate Forbes, J. Steven White, and Janet Zarish. Guest Artists have included Dana Ivey, Mark Lamos, Roger Rees, Liev Schreiber, Jordan Thaler and George C. Wolfe. Under the leadership of Director Barry Edelstein and Associate May Adrales since 2007, the Shakespeare Lab continues to evolve into one of the country’s most successful training programs for Shakespearean performance.

This three-month long summer intensive provides a unique opportunity for professional actors to work on their craft during The Public Theater’s world-renowned Shakespeare programming at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The Shakespeare Lab aims to build a strong and diverse collective of classically trained actors and expand The Public Theater’s community of artists. The Public Theater maintains an on-going commitment to the Lab throughout the year. There are opportunities to attend The Public Theater’s events and participate in workshops and readings with guest artists.

Throughout the summer, Lab Actors will enrich their understanding of Shakespeare and his plays through intensive study and performance; develop skills in clown, movement, voice and teaching; and forge significant relationships with fellow Lab members, teachers and members of The Public Theater’s professional community of artists.

Numerous graduates of the Shakespeare Lab have gone on to secure roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theaters, in addition to work in film and television. Graduates of the Shakespeare Lab include: Varín Ayala, who played Don Armado in Love’s Labour’s Lost(The Cherry Lane Theatre); Natalie Gold, who understudied Kristen Johnston in the 2002 Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night; Nealy Glenn, who appeared in Two Gentlemen of Verona (South Coast Repertory); Michael Littig, who secured roles with the touring company of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey; Maggie Siff who appeared in Ruby Sunrise (The Public Theater) and Frank’s Home (Playwright’s Horizons); Elena Shaddow, Nana Mensah and Jennifer Kidwell performed in The Public Theater’s workshop of The Bacchae, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis; Ryan McCarthy appeared in the 2007 production of King Lear with Kevin Kline (The Public Theater); Amir Aronson recently starred in The Signature Theatre’s Queens Boulevard.

TRAINING

Classes

The Shakespeare Lab is geared towards professional actors who wish to expand their classical training and develop their craft. A rigorous, 12-week intensive taught by The Public’s esteemed faculty, The Shakespeare Lab reflects the high standards of conservatory training. Classes meet Monday-Friday, 9-6pm daily. The curriculum includes Acting and Scene Study, Voice, Movement, Text Analysis and Clown. Rehearsals take place in the evening hours and on the weekends. The Shakespeare Lab fosters a supportive environment that encourages innovation and risk. Emphasis is placed upon the individual actor’s process and needs in relation to the magnificent challenges offered by the writings of Shakespeare.

Application Process

The Shakespeare Lab Program takes place June 2-August 25, 2008. Students will participate in 12 weeks of classes and also have a 1-week break mid-way through the summer.

The postmark deadline for applications is March 21, 2008. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.

Each student must submit the following:

• A cover letter which includes:
  • Current address, phone and email.
  • A description of his or her interest in classical performance
  • Personal goals for the summer
  • Availability for an audition. Please specify 2 audition dates, in order of preference.
    Auditions take place April 8-9; April 16.
• A letter of recommendation from a director or teacher. (Please include the letter of recommendation with your application.)
• 3 copies of a headshot/resume listing training and performance experience
• A $30 application fee in the form of check or money-order made payable to The Public Theater. (Application fees are non-refundable. No cash, please.)

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please send all application materials and request to:

The Shakespeare Lab
c/o May Adrales
The Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003

Audition

All applicants will be asked to audition. Auditions will take place APRIL 8-9 and APRIL 15-16 at The Public Theater. Each applicant will be required to present two contrasting Shakespeare monologues (no longer than 2 minutes each). Applicants should be prepared to present a contemporary monologue upon request.

Auditions will be scheduled once we receive your application materials. You will be contacted with specific dates and locations.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in writing, 1-2 weeks following the audition. No phone calls, please.

Fee and deposit

The Shakespeare Lab tuition is $4500. A non-refundable first payment of $1000 is due upon acceptance. The two remaining payments are due on the first day of class and at the start of week four.

Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are available due to the generosity of The Laura Pels Foundation, founding sponsor of The Shakespeare Lab; the New York State Council on the Arts – a state agency; Consolidated Edison Company of New York; the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation and the Axe-Houghton Foundation. Scholarship applications will be processed after the audition process is complete. Financial constraints should not be an obstacle to participating in Shakespeare Lab.

Frequently Asked Questions

• All housing is the responsibility of each Lab student.
• Applicants must audition to be considered for the Lab. We do not accept taped auditions.
• There are no paid employment opportunities available at the Public.
• Attendance is required for all classes. Failure to comply with the attendance policy may result in dismissal from the Lab.
• 12-14 students are accepted into the program.
• Most actors accepted into the Lab are between 21 and 35 years of age.  Students over 35 have been accepted into the Lab and have thrived. The minimum age is 21; there is no maximum age.  Actors with professional experience, not necessarily in the classical theater, will be given preference over full-time students currently enrolled in a university or conservatory training program.  Recent graduates of such programs, however, are encouraged in particular to apply.

For up-to-date information, call the Shakespeare Lab Hotline at 212-539-8525.

For questions, concerns or to check on the status of your application, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Comments from graduates of The Public Theater’s Shakespeare Lab:

“The Lab fostered my passion for acting as a craft and gave me some invaluable tools and landmark breakthroughs that will help me continue to work at becoming the artist I want to be. I gained a better knowledge of Shakespeare and how to perform his plays and texts, joined a community of performers who are talented, courageous and passionate about the craft of acting and theatre making.” – Claire Karpen, 2007

“The Shakespeare Lab changed my life. It cemented my love for language and the possibilities that theater holds.” – Gita Reddy, 2003

“The Shakespeare Lab was the most bountiful, rewarding, challenging, exhausting, comprehensive training I have ever had the opportunity and pleasure to be a part of.” – Kelley Curran, 2005

“The Shakespeare Lab training was an integral part of my development as a performer and writer of theater…It gave me absolute confidence in approaching Shakespeare's texts.”– Esosa Edosomwan, 2004

“The Shakespeare Lab enhanced my love for Shakespeare and was instrumental in my being considered for and getting the part of Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet.” – Varín Ayala, 2004

“It highlighted how important and vital Shakespeare is for us today – how universal our struggles with jealousy, love, infidelity, murder, rage and the self continue to be, regardless of the times, and how important it is to share our stories with one another.” – Maria-Christina Oliveras, 2003

Funding Credits for Shakespeare Lab

The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust provides leadership support for The Public’s year-round activities.

The Laura Pels Foundation is the Founding Sponsor of Shakespeare Lab. Additional generous support for Shakespeare Lab is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation; ConEdison; and the Axe-Houghton Foundation. Support for Shakespeare Lab Jr. is provided by the Helena

Rubinstein Foundation, and the Helene Berger Foundation. Time Warner is the Supporting Sponsor of The Public’s 2007-2008 season. Bank of America is the Lead Sponsor of Shakespeare in the Park. Major support is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The New York State Music Fund, The Booth Ferris Foundation, The Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Susan Stein Shiva Foundation, The George T. Delacorte Fund at the New York Community Trust—Fund for Performances at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, and by Warren Spector and Margaret Whitton. Pepsi is the official beverage sponsor of The Public Theater. Additional generous support is provided by Debra and Leon Black, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The Starr Foundation, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Titan Worldwide, and The New York Times. Public support is provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the National Endowment for the Arts, an independent federal agency. Cultural Partners include WNYC and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. Pickle Press is the official printer, and Continental Airlines is the official airline of The Public Theater.