The Shakespeare Adventure Programme
July and August, 2024
Offering a detailed insight into theatre’s greatest work
We know from experience that the best results for our academic summer school are achieved in a fun, friendly and supportive environment, so although our programme of study is rigorous and there is always a lot to do, we make sure we enjoy the experience. We work hard but make sure we have plenty of fun in the process. This is a time to make new friends, explore new skills and immerse yourself in a new and exciting environment. Although you will receive all the theoretical support you need, this is a ‘learning by doing’ program and you will spend most of your time performing, rehearsing and learning acting techniques.
Course overview: Shakespeare in performance
All students on the academic summer school programme receive the same balance in terms of the range of activities that are studied. You will receive classes in acting, text analysis and verse speaking, and with the help of our team of professional actors and directors, will work towards a fully-staged production of a Shakespeare play in one of the venues used by the Shakespeare Festival. In order to facilitate this, students will have access to the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival costume store, which currently holds in excess of 600 full Elizabethan costumes, plus a wealth of stage props.
Course overview: Cultural experience
As well as involvement with the training offered on the course, students will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich artistic and intellectual culture of Cambridge. From punting picnics on the river to visits to the Duxford air show, there is always a lot to do and see in Cambridge. The summer school programme also includes study trips to both London (to visit the Globe Theatre) and Stratford-upon-Avon (to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and tomb).
Students are divided into small groups for study and leisure activities. Download the pdf below for examples of typical days for two groups.
Dr David Crilly MA, LTCL, LLCM, ALCM, PhD (Oxford)
Dr David Crilly (Director of CADA) has been Artistic Director of The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival for 36 years. He studied at Magdalen College, Oxford where he was awarded a DPhil. He is a theatre director, composer and performer, and has also worked as an orchestral conductor in Cambridge. He has published on semiotics, music analysis and aesthetics, and also on the music of Britten, Debussy and Charlie Parker. For eighteen years he was Director-in-Residence for Anglia Opera. He is an independent researcher in Music and Drama and has given lectures throughout Europe, India, Oman, Jordan, China, Egypt, Namibia, South Africa and USA.
Dr Simon Bell MA, BA
Simon Bell trained at Reading University and Guildford School of Acting, and has an MA in Contemporary Performance from Cambridge. Since ’93 Simon has worked extensively as a freelance theatre director and practitioner, having directed over 110 productions. As well as having been Resident Director at the Thorndike Theatre in Leatherhead, he is currently co-founder of the Regenerator Theatre Company, and Resident Director of Theatre of the Wheel. Both companies run extensive touring programmes. For the past fourteen years he has been Associate Director of The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, with whom he has directed 46 plays. Teaching engagements are extensive and varied; as acting tutor and guest director (from Shakespeare to audition technique) at various drama schools, including Mountview, Drama Studio, Italia Conti, Redroofs Theatre School, Birmingham School of Acting, and R.A.D.A. Simon is also a qualified stage combat instructor, with displays at the Globe Theatre, Southwark. He is currently engaged in doctoral research into Central European Theatre practice.
Jan Burns BA
Jan studied English Literature in Cambridge and was awarded a First-Class degree in 1995. She has also undergone training as a professional counsellor at the University of Chester, accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Jan took over as Executive Producer of The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival in 1996, prior to which she worked in publishing and investment banking. Apart from her administrative responsibilities for the Festival, she is also the Company dramaturge and advises on aspects of text editing leading to performance.
David Rowan
David trained at the Guildford School of Acting. He has worked extensively in theatre as an actor, playwright and director for companies including Wimbledon Theatre, The Thorndike Theatre, Farnham Redgrave, BAC, Channel Four Schools and Theatre Exchange. He now teaches, writes, directs and works in corporate training and events, specialising in forum theatre. David is a visiting tutor at Blackheath Conservatoire and Age Exchange for whom he works with children and the elderly on reminiscence projects. David is Chairman of Board of Trustees at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre and Gallery and is also a regular on the UK stand-up comedy circuit.
Heidi Gjertsen BA, CertEd
Heidi trained at Mountview Theatre School and has worked as a professional actress since 1990. She has a degree in Philosophy from Birkbeck College, University of London, and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Wales (Cardiff). She has been Education Co-ordinator for The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival since 1994 and is currently Equal Opportunities Coordinator for 16-18 year-old students in Cambridge. She has produced shows on the London Fringe and devised and acted with the acclaimed film director Stephen Daldry (The Hours, Billy Elliot, An Inspector Calls in London’s West End and on Broadway).
Sean McGrath
Sean is joint Artistic Director of AlterEgo Theatre Company for whom he produces, writes and directs. He also teaches acting and performance skills in schools, colleges and universities – specialising in Uta Hagen/Stanislavskian techniques and Performing Shakespeare. Sean trained as an actor at The Oxford School of Drama. His credits include four seasons with The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, playing roles such as Iago, Don John, Demetrius, Laertes and Macbeth. National theatre tours for Black Cat Theatre Company and Shakespeare Works Theatre Company. London fringe productions at venues such as The Latchmere Theatre, The Cockpit Theatre, The Battersea Arts Centre and The Arcola Theatre. ‘Read not Dead’ performances at Shakespeare’s Globe and a multi-award winning production of ‘Loaded’ at The Edinburgh Fringe festival.
Phillipa Paget
Philippa is joint Artistic Director of AlterEgo Theatre Company for whom she writes, acts and directs. Her main teaching interests lie in The Actor and their Voice. She works with actors to help them to engage both physically and emotionally with voice production. Philippa trained as an actress at The Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre, gaining a Degree in Acting. Her credits include four seasons with The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival playing notable roles such as Hermia, Desdemona, Ophelia and Juliet. National Theatre-in-Education tours for Walking Forward Theatre Company and Firehorse Productions. London fringe productions in venues such as The Clerkenwell Theatre, The Etcetera Theatre and The Bloomsbury Theatre.
