Fearless Shakespeare Intensive
By William Shakespeare
Who:
Ages 16 to 21
Tuition:
$800**
Program Dates:
4-Week Intensive
June 15 – July 12
Performances:
July 10 @ 7 p.m.
July 11 @ 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
July 12 @ 2 p.m.
** Confidential financial aid applications are available each summer. Our goal is to make participation accessible to all students, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. No student is turned away due to financial need – aid is awarded based on demonstrated need. To apply for Financial Aid, click HERE.
About the Show
A royal family is ripped apart when King Leontes, suffering from some kind of madness, imprisons Queen Hermione on suspicion of infidelity and exiles his newborn daughter. But callous hearts are redeemed and broken ones mended when the king’s abandoned orphan falls in love with a Bohemian prince. In a surprising Shakespearean twist, this beautiful and bittersweet tale transcends wrath and regret to achieve romance and renewal in a miraculously cathartic conclusion. Students spend four immersive weeks breaking down the stunning verse of one of William Shakespeare’s last plays. Rehearsals will focus on mastering the rich verse, exploring character, and building a tight ensemble company — culminating in a full public production in Rubicon’s new Blackbox Theatre at 1595 Walter St. Whether it’s your first time tackling Shakespeare or your fifth summer back, this program will challenge everything you think you know about navigating a text and will help you conquer your possible intimidation of classical works!
Participation is through auditions only. Please click HERE for an audition slot.
If you have a short Shakespearean monologue, come prepared to share it. If you would like to use a monologue from the show, click HERE.
For questions, or to receive a return call from our Education Staff, please email [email protected].
Characters and descriptions:
- Leontes (King of Sicilia): Initially, a loving king who suffers a sudden, intense fit of jealousy, falsely accusing his wife of infidelity and plunging his kingdom into tragedy.
- Hermione (Queen of Sicilia): The noble, virtuous wife of Leontes. She endures her husband’s wrongful accusation with dignity, seemingly dies of grief, and is miraculously restored.
- Perdita (Daughter of Leontes & Hermione): Abandoned as an infant due to her father’s jealousy, she is raised by a shepherd in Bohemia, growing up beautiful and noble, eventually falling for Prince Florizel.
- Polixenes (King of Bohemia): Leontes’s childhood friend who is falsely accused of having an affair with Hermione and forced to flee for his life.
- Paulina (Lady-in-Waiting): The fiery, loyal defender of Hermione. She courageously confronts Leontes on his injustices and orchestrates the final, miraculous reunion.
- Camillo (Sicilian Lord): A loyal counselor who refuses to murder Polixenes, instead helping him escape and later facilitating the return of Perdita.
- Florizel (Prince of Bohemia): Polixenes’s son who falls in love with the shepherd-raised Perdita, valuing her character over her social standing.
- Autolycus (A Rogue): A witty, opportunistic peddler and pickpocket who adds comic relief in the pastoral scenes of the play.
- Mamillius (Young Prince of Sicilia): Leontes and Hermione’s son, whose death from grief contributes to the play’s early tragedy.
- Antigonus: Paulina’s husband, charged with abandoning the infant Perdita in Bohemia, famously meeting his end after “exit, pursued by a bear”.
- Old Shepherd: The honest shepherd who finds and raises Perdita as his own daughter.
- Clown (Shepherd’s Son): The shepherd’s son, often characterized as a naive, humorous foil to the noble characters.
- Cleomenes & Dion: Sicilian lords sent to the Oracle of Delphi to seek divine truth.
- Emilia: A lady attending to Queen Hermione.
- Mopsa & Dorcas: Shepherdesses in Bohemia.
- Additional speaking roles, courtiers, guards and members of court.
About the Program
A four-week theatre intensive designed to demystify Shakespeare for young actors. Under the direction of award-winning actor and Yale Drama MFA graduate Joseph Fuqua, students are immersed in the language and culture of “The Bard” while rehearsing and performing one of his masterpieces. During the four weeks and with the assistance of Co-Director, Verse Coach, and Dramaturg Louis Lotorto, students develop a new appreciation for literature, learning about script analysis, scansion and verse, dialect and vocal production. During this four-week journey, students build confidence and learn to trust in the power of their own voice.
PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS INCLUDE
2025 – Romeo & Juliet
2024 – Richard III
2023 – Henry V
2022 – As You Like It
2021 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream