{"id":387,"date":"2016-06-03T18:39:23","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T18:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mgs.performerstuff.com\/?p=387"},"modified":"2020-09-13T13:26:24","modified_gmt":"2020-09-13T13:26:24","slug":"10-tips-for-performing-shakespeare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/10-tips-for-performing-shakespeare\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Helpful Tips for Performing Shakespeare (for Beginners)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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10 Helpful Tips for Performing Shakespeare (for Beginners)<\/h3>\n
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Written by Ashleigh Gardner<\/p>\n

May 20, 2016<\/p>\n

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Performing a Shakespearean piece for class or for an audition?\u00a0We’ve compiled a list of 10 tips for beginners to get you started with The Bard.<\/p>\n


1. Read the whole play.<\/h4>\n \"\"<\/span>

You should always read the entire\u00a0play to understand the context of the monologue or scene you\u2019re performing. If you\u2019re doing the play for your high school or college, then you <\/span>have to <\/span><\/i>read the whole thing. It\u2019s essential to know why you\u2019re saying the things you\u2019re saying and how your character understands, interacts, and thinks of other characters and situations. Additionally, sometimes Shakespeare\u2019s plots can be confusing, so the more you know about the play, the more you\u2019ll be able to understand (and perhaps teach others) about your show.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Familiarize yourself with iambic pentameter.<\/h4>\n \"\"<\/span>

Sounds scary? Like everything you learn for the first time, it can be. BUT! Once you understand the system, it\u2019s pain-free. Iambic pentameter is <\/span>a line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or stressed) syllable. Count the syllables in each line. Usually, every line will be ten syllables, but sometimes there will be more or fewer, and this suggests how the line could be delivered. If there are fewer than 10 syllables, you might say the line slower with more intention; if there are more than 10 syllables, you might say the line more quickly and with more urgency. This is just a starting point with iambic pentameter, but try it out and see how it feels. Sometimes Shakespeare\u2019s lines will be written in prose. In that case, don\u2019t worry about iambic pentameter!<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Learn about Shakespeare’s\u00a0punctuation.<\/h4>\n \"\"<\/span>

Just like we use texting shorthand to communicate with each other, Shakespeare used punctuation to give his actors hints about how they should read a line. Below is a list of the differences between how we use punctuation <\/span>today <\/span><\/i>and how Shakespeare probably intended his punctuation to be used.<\/span><\/p>\n