Exploring Text – Bringing Shakespeare to Life

Fall in love with Shakespeare through physical and vocal exploration, ensemble work and textual analysis. 

Working with acclaimed actor Darcy Kent, this workshop series will be a practical and dynamic introduction to performing Shakespeare’s work. 

Inspired by Shakespeare’s deep exploration of the human experience, Darcy teaches students to find creative liberation through timeless narrative, moment-to-moment play, and a thorough exploration of vocal and physical technique. Fusing both the classical and the contemporary, his work is grounded in the belief that exploring the stories of our past contextualises our present, and helps us better shape our future. 

By diving into the world of Shakespeare with Darcy, actors will discover the joy of holding an audience in the palm of their hand, and get a taste for the vibrant, chaotic and beautiful world of Elizabethan theatre. Through scene study and monologue work, students will explore the deep life questions that Shakespeare examined, and in doing so, come to have a deeper understanding of themselves.

“Some of the most valuable training I have received and the greatest lessons I have learned as an actor have been through my exploration of Shakespeare’s plays. Many of the world’s greatest performers began their acting journey with his work, and for good reason: To do it justice requires total commitment to voice, physicality, and emotional connection. An actor that can embody a Shakespearean character has a toolkit of skills that are transferable to any other form of performance. It is some of the most challenging, rewarding, and rigorous theatrical training you can do.” – Darcy Kent

Darcy Kent is a graduate of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in the UK, where he completed his Masters in Classical Acting in 2019, as well as the full time program at 16th Street in 2013. He has also studied at Shakespeare and Company in Massachusetts. He has performed at the Pop Up Globe in Auckland, appearing in productions of Romeo and Juliet (as Romeo) and Much Ado About Nothing. He is also a Red Stitch ensemble member, having joined the company after performing in their productions of Desert 6.29pm and The Antipodes. His other theatre credits include When the Rain Stop Falling (Iron Lung Theatre, Theatreworks), The Amateurs (Red Stitch), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Red Stitch) the Australian tour of Lamb (Red Stitch, Critical Stages), Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado about Nothing, (which both toured China with the Australian International Opera Company), Seminar (Artefact Theatre, Chapel Off Chapel), The Servant of Two Masters (La Mama, Make a Scene), As You Like It (Melbourne Fringe) and Vile (La Mama). Film and TV credits include Warnie, New Gold Mountain, Offspring, Neighbours, feature film The Surrogate as well as a host of short films.