About the Program
Join us this April as we explore – One of Shakespeare’s most famous and bloodiest tragedies - Macbeth!
In this four-day workshop, kids and teens will dive into the tragedy of Shakespeare's Macbeth—then gleefully turn it upside down, culminating in a showcase of a (very) abridged and absurdist Macbeth on the final day of the workshop.
Participants will be assigned roles from the play, explore and perform Shakespeare’s language, break the rules of “serious” theatre, and discover how comedy can live inside even the darkest stories … with a clown nose on!
Using techniques of clowning, physical comedy and improvisation, along with some obligatory exaggerated deaths, we’ll explore the ludicrous side of ambition, witches, ghosts and murder. In this more in-depth study of clown than in previous workshops, students learn to listen, adapt, and respond to the audience in real time.
Shakespeare wrote many clowns into his plays who serve as fools, truth-tellers, and groundling-level messengers between the audience and the play. Clowning helps young actors stay ready, present and responsive on stage; It’s a skill for performance, and for life!
No prior Shakespeare experience needed—just curiosity, and a willingness to be a little bit ridiculous!
Educators
Carly Wilding
Carly Wilding is an actor and multidisciplinary artist with over 10 years working in the arts. With theatre credits including Olivia in Twelfth Night (Australian Shakespeare Company), Miranda in The Tempest, Benvolio in Romeo & Juliet (Melbourne Shakespeare Company), Carly regularly performs in both contemporary and classical theatre productions. Having taught and directed film and theatre for the past 10 years, Carly is passionate about giving young actors a varied toolkit, drawing on her varied experiences and skills. Carly is also a singer, songwriter & musician who plays for theatrical productions and in a touring band, as well as a working actor in commercials, film & TV, and voice over.