Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, MA, Classical Acting

Classical Acting is for those seeking an advanced classical theatre training and education, with a focus upon the special challenges inherent in acting Shakespeare and other Renaissance texts; as well as being expressive, students learn to become resilient and resourceful, and to draw effectively on a wide range of performance-based processes, disciplines and strategies (which include an ability to work with voice); classes include practical and critical evaluation, to produce informed and flexible practitioners; students engage in a series of key performance projects, exploring, rehearsing and presenting Shakespearean and other classical texts in a variety of different contexts; these projects are supported by appropriate voice and movement classes which include spoken verse work; this practice-based work is complemented by individual study and appropriate theoretical discussion and enquiry; students address the historical, ideological and critical contexts within which traditions of Shakespearean performance have evolved; although the primary focus is on Shakespeare, students may also engage with other kinds of classical idiom, such as Greek tragedy and Restoration comedy, and participate in a series of performance projects designed to assist you in developing a distinct specialist skills base.