Shakespeare's (S)words:

Back by popular demand, we are offering another round of Shakespeare's (S)words: our six-week text and combat course. This two hour class, for six successive Mondays, will focus on using Shakespeare's "keys" to unlock your scene and then examine how to integrate a sword fight seamlessly to enhance the story. In the first hour of each class you will examine Shakespeare with Artistic Director, Seth Duerr, to explore how the text and language reveals intention for the character. Then we'll get the scene "on its feet" to work on how to tell the story. In the second hour you will study sword-fighting with Fight Director, Jared Kirby. The first class will begin with fundamental principles of combat for stage before moving into training with the sword. By week three we will start rehearsing the choreography for our scene and get it up to speed by the end of the course. You will learn how to incorporate characters' violence naturally and seamlessly into the story. This is an intensive immersion into the treachery, debauchery, and murder in Shakespeare's plays as well as the natural extension of the emotional, verbal and psychological violence of so many of his characters.

Instructors: Seth Duerr, Artistic Director; Jared Kirby, Fight Director

Mondays 6:30pm-8:30pm from Jan 14th - Feb 18th

Classes will be held at a rehearsal studio in midtown Manhattan

Early registration is only $195 for the entire course

($395 for registration after Dec 21)

Session is open enrollment, but you will need to send a headshot/resume for class placement.

Suit the Action to the Word: a Shakespearean acting and text course

The premier course for beginner and intermediate performers to dig into every element of Shakespeare's texts. We'll dissect all linguistic pitfalls and provide you with active ways to navigate character throughout the canon. We'll assist you with classical monologues and then approach scene-work to gain ultimate insight and skills as actors.

Instructor: Seth Duerr, Artistic Director, The York Shakespeare Company.

Wednesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm from Jan 16th - Feb 20th

Classes will be held at a rehearsal studio in midtown Manhattan

Early registration is only $195 for the entire course

($395 for registration after Dec 21)

Session is open enrollment but you will need to send a headshot/resume for class placement.

Combat for Stage & Screen

Learn how to create and perform extraordinary fights for stage and screen. This special three-month session will give you an introduction to a variety of combat styles. Instruction will begin with unarmed before moving into knife and culminating in longsword. After a short introduction you will be cast in a fight scene and work on building choreography into the scene. At the end of the three months we will perform a NYC show with the collection of fight scenes you have worked on in class.

This is also an ongoing class if you would like to continue after the three-month session. For more details see: www.artofcombat.org/nycclass.htm

Instructor: Jared Kirby, Fight Director, The Art of Combat.

Fridays 6:00pm - 7:00pm from Jan 18th - Apr 12th (tentative performance dates - Apr 19th & 20th)

Classes will be held at KHDT Studio, 330 Broome St. NYC. When you arrive, ring the top bell (KHDT)

Early registration is only $180 for the entire course

($200 for registration after Dec 21)

Session is open enrollment

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***PRIVATE COACHING IN SHAKESPEARE ACTING/TEXT WITH MR. DUERR or

COMBAT FOR STAGE & SCREEN WITH MR. KIRBY IS ALSO AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT AT $75/hour.

Contact us at shakespeareswords@gmail.com for further information.

Class size will be limited to ensure full attention to all enrollees.

Seth Duerr is the Artistic Director of The York Shakespeare Company and has directed and starred in over half of the Shakespearean canon. He was the Assistant Artistic Director of Jean Cocteau Repertory and has performed twice at The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park and The Acting Company. www.sethduerr.com

Jared Kirby is a fight director and head of the NY Art of Combat. He regularly directs staged violence for NYC theatres and teaches at SUNY Purchase and the Martinez Academy of Arms. He teaches workshops across the US and around the world including Canada, England, Scotland, Finland and Italy. www.jaredkirby.com