Katonah Classic Stage to offer acting workshop for middle and high school students

Katonah Classic Stage, a nonprofit professional theatre company, announced plans to offer a Shakespeare-focused acting workshop for middle and high school students this spring. Speak the Speech will provide students with the opportunity to learn and perform Shakespeare through a weekly workshop that culminates in a live performance.

Katonah Classic Stage artistic director Trent Dawson said, “the educational component is something we envisioned for KCS from the very beginning and I am thrilled that we can finally welcome students into the fold and get them up on their feet learning and performing Shakespeare.”

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The workshop will take place Tuesday evenings at the Bedford Hills Train Station beginning May 3, culminating with a live performance for friends and family on June 7. Each student’s scenes will be professionally filmed and edited into a reel for the student’s own use. All scenes will be combined into a short film which will debut at the 3rd Annual Katonah Classic Stage Film Festival this summer at the Bedford Playhouse.

Somers resident Christine Canavan said, “I think this is a great chance for students to delve into Shakespeare and really work through it on stage. I personally don’t believe the classics are stressed enough in school, so for those kids who are curious and want to take it a step further this is a wonderful opportunity. I am confident the professionals at KCS will do a great job engaging these kids and I look forward to a great performance.”

KCS is also offering students a chance to participate in a live production of Romeo and Juliet this summer at the Bedford Playhouse. While no prior acting experience is necessary in order to participate, Dawson recommends that participants enroll in the Speak the Speech workshop this spring to make it easier to keep pace with the production's short rehearsal period – rehearsals begin early July and the performance will take place July 23. 

KCS is seeking student volunteers for help behind the scenes as well. “We want this to be a learning opportunity for kids interested in all aspects of theatre and there is no better way to learn than hands-on training alongside professionals,” Dawson said.

More information, including the workshop application, can be found at: www.katonahclassicstage.com/education. Questions: contact info@katonahclassicstage.com