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William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet: An Actor's Perspective

William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet: An Actor's Perspective

Instructor: Kevin Rich

1,855 already enrolled

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

By successfully completing this course, you will be able to describe the plot of Romeo and Juliet and identify major characters and themes.
You will be able to analyze and interpret heightened text.
You will be able to describe multiple theatrical approaches to Shakespeare's plays.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

1 assignment

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

Have you ever wanted to read Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet? This course will provide a guided reading of the script and expose you to the perspectives of actors who've performed in the play. It primarily consists of interviews with 14 professional actors who have participated in at least one production of Romeo & Juliet somewhere in the US, at theaters and Shakespeare festivals including the American Shakespeare Center, American Players Theatre, and the Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, and Utah Shakespeare Festivals.

In completing this course, learners will be able to describe the plot of Romeo & Juliet, identify major characters and themes, analyze and interpret heightened text, and consider multiple theatrical approaches to the play. This course strives to be of interest to multiple audiences, but we think it may particularly appeal to... * Shakespeare enthusiasts and the Shakespeare curious in all walks of life * Actors, theater practitioners, and teachers of Shakespeare everywhere * Secondary school and college students interested in expanding their studies of Shakespeare * Interested readers with little or no familiarity with Shakespeare Logo image courtesy of https://picryl.com/media/romeo-and-juliet-12

Module details

In this module, you will be introduced to the course and some of the major characters in the play. You’ll hear perspectives on the major events in Act 1, including the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues, Romeo’s lovesickness for Rosaline, the marriage being planned for Juliet and Paris, and Capulet’s party, where Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time.

What's included

10 videos9 readings2 discussion prompts

10 videosTotal 90 minutes

Welcome to Perspectives from the Stage: Actors Discuss Romeo and Juliet!3 minutes
Team Capulet10 minutes
Team Montague10 minutes
Other Players6 minutes
Introduction to Act 11 minute
Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 112 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 28 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 314 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 411 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 516 minutes

9 readingsTotal 46 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support1 minute
Course Introduction1 minute
Applied Shakespeare at CU Boulder10 minutes
Character List2 minutes
Read Prologue and Act 1, Scene 110 minutes
Read Act 1, Scene 25 minutes
Read Act 1, Scene 35 minutes
Read Act 1, Scene 45 minutes
Read Act 1, Scene 57 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Introduce Yourself!10 minutes
Shakespeare's Poetry10 minutes

In this module, you’ll hear perspectives on the major events in Act 2, including the whirlwind courtship and secret marriage of Romeo & Juliet, and the increasing involvement of people close to them, including Mercutio, Benvolio, Friar Lawrence and the Nurse.

What's included

7 videos6 readings1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 78 minutes

Introduction to Act 21 minute
Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 17 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 223 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 311 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 420 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 56 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 610 minutes

6 readingsTotal 33 minutes

Act 2, Chorus and Scene 13 minutes
Read Act 2, Scene 28 minutes
Read Act 2, Scene 35 minutes
Act 2, Scene 49 minutes
Read Act 2, Scene 55 minutes
Read Act 2, Scene 63 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Shakespeare's Characters10 minutes

In this module, you’ll hear perspectives on the major events in Act 3, where the romantic comedy begins to pivot towards tragedy. Our actors discuss the fights that take place in this act as well as the aftermath of those fights.

What's included

7 videos5 readings1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 76 minutes

Introduction to Act 31 minute
Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 114 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Perspectives on Intermission12 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 29 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 313 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 46 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 521 minutes

5 readingsTotal 36 minutes

Read Act 3, Scene 19 minutes
Read Act 3, Scene 26 minutes
Read Act 3, Scene 38 minutes
Read Act 3, Scene 43 minutes
Read Act 3, Scene 510 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Share a Discovery10 minutes

In this module, you’ll hear perspectives on the major events in Act 4, including the Capulets planning a wedding for Juliet and Paris, and Romeo, Juliet and the Friar planning something very different.

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 46 minutes

Introduction to Act 40 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 4, Scene 118 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 4, Scene 26 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 4, Scene 36 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 4, Scene 42 minutes
Interviews with Actors: Act 4, Scene 514 minutes

5 readingsTotal 25 minutes

Read Act 4, Scene 15 minutes
Read Act 4, Scene 24 minutes
Read Act 4, Scene 35 minutes
Read Act 4, Scene 43 minutes
Read Act 4, Scene 58 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Shakespeare's Characters, Part Two10 minutes

In this concluding module, our actors discuss the final events of this remarkable play, and offer personal takeaways from having performed in it, as well as reflections on why this play is still so widely read and performed today, over 400 years after it was written.