Ensemble-Movement-Text: Shakespeare Workshop with Ben Crystal

Ensemble-Movement-Text: Shakespeare Workshop

with Ben Crystal

and special guest artist

Andrew Codispoti from www.theShakespeareEnsemble.com

Precis:

Shakespeare's actors improvised their blocking, and raised their productions in 2-3 days. How did they do this?

Beginning at the Liverpool Arts Bar in May, this exciting series of drop-in workshops will be led by the internationally renowned actor/creative producer/author Ben Crystal.

With actor/producer Andrew Codispoti, they have been developing the craft of 'quick-raising' Shakespeare plays around the world.

In 2023, they took 4 days to ready an Ensemble of Liverpool-based actors to perform over 36 scenes, one from every Shakespeare play, at the Shakespeare North Playhouse.

This workshop is the first in a series of exploratory sessions Ben will be leading in the LCR over 2025.

Cost: Free For All, or Pay What You Can

We believe money should not be an obstacle to participation in the arts.

Rather than charge a fee, participants may make a financial contribution after the workshop only if they wish.

Book your ticket (choose Professional or Student), and if you'd like to pay something, cash and contactless welcome gratefully accpted after the workshop.

Places are limited: if the first 20 tickets are booked, please book one of the Waiting List tickets; we'll let you know if a space becomes free.

If you've booked a Professional / Student ticked, and you can't use it, please cancel it so someone else can take your place :-)

What to expect:

We will dive into the world of Shakespeare and explore the power of ensemble work, improvised stage movement, and text analysis.

Whether you're a seasoned actor or just starting out, this workshop promises to be an invigorating, fun, and enlightening experience.

Together we will establish rules of contact using intimacy direction guidelines to create a safe space. Then we'll explore a handful of ensemble and movement exercises. After a short break, we will attend to some Shakespeare text.

We seek to gently hold a focussed, informal, safe, honest, music-filled, play-fuelled space.

Participants will be invited to work barefoot, and in movement clothes. Please bring water, something warm to wear while we work on text, and something to write with. Please also bring a copy of a Shakespeare Sonnet that resonates with you, ideally (but not necessarily) learnt by heart.

Participants are very welcome to use languages other than English.

Note: there will be a therapy assistance dog present in the workshop space.

Any questions, please drop us a line and say hello!:

LCR.Shakespeare@gmail.com

Future workshops to include: verse-speaking, cue-scripts, stage-craft chess, character physicalisation, verse-speaking, cue-scripts, original pronunciation, stage-craft chess, monologue sessions, duologue sessions, emotional connection; requests welcome too :-)

Who we are:

Ben Crystal is an actor, author, director, and creative producer.

He is an Associate Artist with the Shakespeare North Playhouse, and has curated for Shakespeare’s Globe, the BBC, the British Library, and the British Council.

He founded the www.PassioninPractice.com Ensemble, and is co-founder and curator of the international group www.theShakespeareEnsemble.com.

Since 2008, Ben has been developing the “quick-raise” process - creating professional productions of Shakespeare’s plays in 2-3 days, inspired by Shakespeare’s actors’ theatrical practice. www.bencrystal.com

Andrew Codispoti is a wandering theatre maker.

He was the Artistic Director of Advice to the Players for the 2016 & 2017 seasons, and is the curator & instigator of Vicious Mole Theatre Collective. He has worked extensively with Advice to the Players, Seven Stages Shakespeare Company, and The Barnstormers Theatre.

He is a founding member of www.theShakespeareEnsemble.com. Since 2017 he has been exploring the ‘quick-raise’ process, both with Ben, and as an independent consultant with theatre companies around the world. www.andrewcodispoti.com

Edie Crystal is Ben’s fully trained, legally accredited therapy assistance dog.

A Kooikerhondje, Edie is quiet, daft, & patient. She has worked with neurodiverse humans of all ages in schools & institutions around the world. She has performed in three professional Shakespeare productions, & has silently observed countless hours of rehearsals. She comes with her own ruff.