Learning about Shakespeare’s Comedy in Performance: Much Ado about Nothing [F-18-39]

This is a 2-day course, plus the performance (optional) based on SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Theatre and Dance production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, directed by Joshua Vink. In our course, we will investigate the play by studying the comedy and comic characters, the themes, and the overall story. We’ll read parts of the script aloud and try out Shakespeare’s use of free verse to understand how the text reveals and describes characters and their relationships with each other. Those who come to see the play on Friday, November 16, will have a chance, either before or after the play, to speak with the director and actors.

Kimberley Bouchard is a Professor in Theatre and Dance who has taught Acting, Shakespeare, and Theatre History. She has directed and acted in a dozen of Shakespeare’s plays. She strongly believes that Shakespeare is a “people’s playwright” who speaks to our common humanity.

NOTES:
1) Link below to the script:
http://shakespeare.mit.edu/much_ado/full.html

2) The actual performance runs November 15-18 (in the Black Box Theater). Tickets for the play may be purchased at the ticket booth in the Performing Arts Center.

Cap: 99