Students will receive upper division GE (area C1) for this course. The trip will pack in 40 hours worth of intensive exposure to theatre and Shakespeare. Ongoing discussions will help deepen critical thinking and develop understanding of contemporary performance in relation to history, society and culture.

No theatre experience is necessary for this trip. No matter your major, it will be a once in a lifetime experience. Participants will meet international students and theatre practitioners. They’ll bring home an enriched appreciation of Shakespeare, dramatic literature and what goes into the mounting of professional theatrical productions. They’ll ask the questions: Why Theatre? Why Shakespeare?

The 11 day trip includes:

• Attendance at FIVE performances (at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, the National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre, and TWO at The Globe).
• Backstage tours of four theatres.
• Lectures and classes might include Queer Shakespeare, Theatre Architecture, Shakespeare’s verse.
• A walking tour of Shakespeare’s London and a bus tour of London.
• A trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and the historic buildings there.
• A visit to the National Portrait Gallery to see portraits of the historical figures about whom Shakespeare wrote, followed by afternoon tea.
• A visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum to see their extensive Theatre Collection.
• Eight hours of classroom time to study monologues (chosen to illuminate text, stretch the students’ knowledge, and tie into the shows attending), and explore our theatrical experiences.
• Preparation for the three required papers about the Shakespeare productions we see and how the creative teams brought them to life.