Theater Company Offers Shakespeare Courses To New Jersey Teens

Young and aspiring thespians how have a chance at a running start in learning Shakespeare.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is offering two-and-three-week classical theater sessions for middle and high-school aged students that teaches them the ropes of acting and interpreting classic texts.

Classes take place daily, with a few adjustments depending on the age bracket enrolled.

The junior corps is for ages 11 to 14, and offers voice and speech training for the stage, movement for the actor, Shakespeare's text, improvisation, stage combat and scene study. The focus of the junior corps is stage ensemble, with a culminating short performance based on Shakespeare or another classical work.

Auditions are not required for junior corp, but there is limited availability in the sessions. The two available junior sessions take place June 30 through July 12 and July 21 to Aug 2.

Each two-week session is $750.

Senior corps is for students between the ages of 14 and 18. The courses offered are the same as those in the junior corps in addition to audition technique, which is exclusive to the senior corps.

Auditions are required to join the senior corps, and each student leaves their session with a rehearsed, critiqued Shakespearean monologue of his or her choice.

Sessions for senior corps are three weeks with two sessions available that take place June 30 to July 19 and July 28 to Aug. 16. The sessions are $900 each.

There are discounts available for both junior and senior corps for returning students and children of theater company subscribers.

To enroll, interested persons may contact the theater company at 973-845-6742 or Classes@shakespearenj.org.