"The Actor’s Approach to a Shakespearean Role - Where to Begin"

Facilitator:  Hannah Young (Actress, Royal Shakespeare Company)
The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, The Winter’s Tale, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Coriolanus, The Drunks, Little Eagles, American Trade (Royal Shakespeare Company)


Zoom Workshop Schedule:

  • February 7, 2025
  • 1-2pm EST (USA) / 6-7pm (UK Time)

Hannah Young

(Actress, Royal Shakespeare Company)

Whether you’re a seasoned actor or a newcomer to the world of Shakespeare, Hannah Young’s workshop is designed to provide a structured, insightful approach to understanding and embodying Shakespearean roles.


Hannah Young, a celebrated actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company and a major contributor to their outreach and educational department, will lead you through an exploration of Shakespeare's characters with her unique insights gained from years of performing in productions such as The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, King Lear, and many others. Her diverse background in theatre, television, film, and radio enriches her ability to bring Shakespeare's language to life and make it accessible for actors at all stages of their careers.


This Zoom workshop, titled “The Actor’s Approach to a Shakespearean Role: Where to Begin”, will delve into the fundamentals of approaching a Shakespearean role from an actor’s perspective. Whether you’re preparing for an audition, rehearsing for a production, or simply want to understand the intricacies of performing Shakespeare, this session will help demystify the process of connecting with Shakespeare’s language and characters.


What to Expect from the Workshop:

  • Analyzing the Text: Learn how to break down Shakespeare’s complex language to understand your character’s objectives, motivations, and emotional journey. Hannah will share strategies for analyzing verse, prose, and soliloquies to reveal their deeper meanings.

  • Character Development:  Explore how to approach character development by interpreting textual clues, historical context, and performance dynamics. Hannah’s extensive experience with Shakespearean roles will help guide participants to create fully realized, authentic characters.

  • Embodying the Role: Discover techniques for physically and vocally embodying your character. Hannah emphasizes the importance of voice work, movement, and understanding rhythm to bring the text alive in an engaging and natural manner.

  • Interactive Participation: This workshop encourages active participation. Whether you choose to work directly with Hannah on a piece of text or observe others, you’ll have the opportunity to receive personalized guidance and feedback in a supportive setting.

  • Creating a Personal Connection:  Shakespeare’s characters are timeless and universal. Learn how to find a personal connection to your role, ensuring that your performance resonates with contemporary audiences while staying true to the original text.

  • Community Engagement: Join a group of fellow actors and Shakespeare enthusiasts, and connect with others who share your passion for theatre. Engage in discussions, share insights, and support each other’s journey in bringing Shakespeare’s words to life.

Acting Credits:

  • Act (Print Room)
  • Terminal 3 (Print Room)
  • The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, The Winter’s Tale, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Coriolanus, The Drunks, Little Eagles, American Trade (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • The Lady From the Sea (Birmingham Rep), Songs of Grace and Redemption (Theatre503)
  • Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Liverpool Everyman), The French Lieutenant’s Woman (Yvonne Arnaud), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Desire Me (West End)
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Importance of Being Ernest (Deptford)

About Hannah Young 

Trained at Exeter University. Hannah has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing in iconic roles across numerous productions, including The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and King Lear. In addition to her stage work, Hannah has appeared on television in Doctors, The Robinsons (BBC), Waking the Dead (BBC), Offenders, and Alan’s Breakfast, as well as in independent films and radio dramas, including The Archers (Radio 4). Her passion for education and outreach makes her an inspiring teacher, capable of helping participants make Shakespeare's language their own and bring his timeless characters to life with confidence and creativity.