Offered By

Perspectives from the Stage: Actors Discuss Romeo and Juliet

University of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

This course is meant for anyone who is reading Romeo & Juliet and would like to hear the perspectives of professional actors who have performed in the play.  This course primarily consists of interviews with 14 professional actors who have performed 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.

Logo image courtesy of Bart. "Comedy & Tragedy" is available on Flickr at https://bit.ly/3aS8gA9

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

No specific background required. Just a desire to read Romeo & Juliet and learn about the play from actors!

Approx. 10 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will 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 will gain

Acting
Literature
Textual Analysis
Theatre
Shakespeare

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

No specific background required. Just a desire to read Romeo & Juliet and learn about the play from actors!

Approx. 10 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Kevin Rich

Associate Professor

Theater & Dance

4,719 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

CU-Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Act 1: Introductions

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.

2 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 90 min), 7 readings

10 videos

Welcome to Perspectives from the Stage: Actors Discuss Romeo and Juliet!2m

Team Capulet10m

Team Montague9m

Other Players5m

Introduction to Act 136s

Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 112m

Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 27m

Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 313m

Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 411m

Interviews with Actors: Act 1, Scene 515m

7 readings

Course Introduction1m

Character List2m

Read Prologue and Act 1, Scene 110m

Read Act 1, Scene 25m

Read Act 1, Scene 35m

Read Act 1, Scene 45m

Read Act 1, Scene 57m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Act 2: The Courtship

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.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 78 min), 6 readings

7 videos

Introduction to Act 231s

Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 17m

Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 223m

Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 311m

Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 420m

Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 55m

Interviews with Actors: Act 2, Scene 69m

6 readings

Act 2, Chorus and Scene 13m

Read Act 2, Scene 28m

Read Act 2, Scene 35m

Act 2, Scene 49m

Read Act 2, Scene 55m

Read Act 2, Scene 63m

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Act 3: The Fight

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.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 76 min), 5 readings

7 videos

Introduction to Act 334s

Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 114m

Interviews with Actors: Perspectives on Intermission12m

Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 28m

Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 312m

Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 45m

Interviews with Actors: Act 3, Scene 521m

5 readings

Read Act 3, Scene 19m

Read Act 3, Scene 26m

Read Act 3, Scene 38m

Read Act 3, Scene 43m

Read Act 3, Scene 510m

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Act 4: The Last Hope

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.

1 hour to complete

6 videos (Total 46 min), 5 readings

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Perspectives from the Stage: Actors Discuss Romeo and Juliet

Perspectives from the Stage: Actors Discuss Romeo and Juliet