Rhythm, Language, Breath And Presence In The Plays Of William Shakespeare

Acting Workshop in English
Taught by Celeste Moratti
– The workshop requires fluency in English

Dates and times:
Phase I
September 24, 25, 26, 27 > 18 to 22.30
September 28, 29 > 10.30 to 18.30
Phase II
January 28, 29, 30, 31 > 18 to 22.30
February 1, 2 > 10 to 18.30
Phase III
April 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 > 18 to 22.30
April 4, 5 > 10 to 18.30

“An absolutely thrilling experience, from both an educational and a human standpoint” Francesco, student in 2018/19

The laboratory explores acting for performers who speak English as a second language (but it’s recommended to anyone, including native English speakers). Through working on Shakespeare’s text, students will explore acting in a language and mindset different from their own: different languages carry a different rhythm of the breath and body, a different way of thinking and imagining the world.

The lab will be taught in English, and structured in 3 stages:

Stage I: From the Habitual to the Natural
Presence, body, breath and the free voice: by working with speeches and Sonnets, the actors will begin to explore the physical readiness and linguistic demands of Shakespeare language. We’ll focus on the structure of the verse and on the rhythmic specificities of the English language, on text analysis and, mostly, on finding the actor’s “own” voice in a language other than theirs, in order to preserve the naturalness and earnestness of the performance.
The first dais will focus on the body, breath and the voice; text work will be incorporated throughout, but will be center focus in the last days of work, both in Ensemble and one-on-one.

Stage II: Stamina
The Ensemble and the Individual: we’ll deepen the work started in phase I, this time with the objective of extending the craft into being able to sustain the performance of an entire play on the stage; Shakespeare demands an athleticism of body and mind, and the ability to work in an organic ensemble and at the same time maintain individuality. We’ll deepen the work on Shakespeare’s speeches, starting to also explore dialogues and scenes, both with textual analysis and by getting accustomed to the realities of rehearsal and performance prep. Ensemble work will help in connecting the discoveries made in phase I to dialogical and Choreic moments, and in strengthening the muscles (both of the body and mind), in preparation to phase III.

Stage III: Production Lab
Now that we’ve explored Shakespeare’s text physically, intellectually and imaginatively, and understood the work necessary to achieve presence and readiness, the actors are ready to take the breath of an entire play from beginning to end. the chosen text will be explored, discussed, rehearsed and performed by the Ensemble, and our work will be ready to be shared on Teatro Franco Parenti’s stage with an audience.

Experiences from the first year of workshops:
“I am an actor, I studied drama in the United States. Working with Celeste in this Shakespeare workshop has been like the discovery of a new world for me. In relationship to this, all my previous Shakespeare training seemed like nothing at all: his music, his voice, the breath of the language…absolutely marvellous…I completely fell in love with his plays! A few months after, I also had the chance to perform on stage in King Lear in London, with an English theatre company, and I could effectively test and practice what I’ve learned in the workshops, with great satisfaction. RECOMMENDED FOR ALL BRAVE PERFORMERS!” Jacopo

“I had the luck to participate in the entire series of workshops, throughout all three levels. The depth of the work in English allows to catch all the colors and nuances of Shakespeare’s language, a fundamental step that can then be applied to any playwright and text. It’s an adventure that every actor should undertake!” Alice

“Like all good things which end too soon, this one left me with a strong desire to repeat the adventure as soon as possible…and the results of the work were immediately evident: it gave me greater awareness and credibility in my usual acting work, and by having it in my curriculum, gave me a chance to participate in other selective acting workshops and labs” Francesco

After her studies in Theoretical Philosophy in Milan, where she was born and raised, Celeste Moratti began her stage career in New York in 2001. She graduated at the prestigious Stella Adler Conservatory, and then immediately upon graduation she began a long and fruitful collaboration with Dario D’ambrosi and his Teatro Patologico, all while continuing her stage and film career, both in the USA and in Europe.
Besides Teatro Patologico, Celeste is anactive member of The Living Theatre, Titan Theatre Company, ADK Shakespeare and Hyperion Theatre Company.
In 2015, after having worked as a student with patsy Rodenburg for 8 years, Celeste started a rigorous biennial Teaching Training Program with Patsy, at the end of which she obtained the qualification of Registered Rodenburg Teacher (RRT): at the present time, only Patsy Rotenburg herself and 20 teachers personally trained by her operate under the title, and Celeste is the only RRT in Italy. In New York, Celeste regularly teaches and coaches both groups and individuals: her classes span from physical and vocal work to professional production labs.

Download and fill out the form to participate!