Post-Show Workshops

Fortunately for student audiences, the fun doesn't end at the curtain call of MACBETH. Schools traveling to CSC have the option of staying for a post-show workshop led by the cast. Below are some pictures from last Thursday. Schools in attendance were Harlem Academy, The Packer School, and Frances Perkins Academy.

The post-show workshop begins with a Q&A with the cast. Students have the opportunity to ask questions specific to the play, to acting, and to the technical aspects of the production. Many students ask questions to actors about their characters. Some of the questions from Thursday included, "How easy is it to play off a mistake in Shakespeare?", "What is the blood made of?", "What are your favorite lines from the play?", and "How do you get the helmet to glow?".

The MACBETH cast during the Q&A. 

The second part in the workshop is led by cast member Casey, the fight choreographer for MACBETH. He breaks down a portion of the final fight sequence between Macduff and Macbeth step-by-step for the student audience. It's really neat to learn the tricks! Most importantly, Casey talks about safety with fight choreography. He is a trained professional, and his job is to not only choreograph and teach an authentic looking fight for the actors, but also to ensure that it is executed safely and no one gets hurt. "Kids, don't try this at home!", he always says!

Matt (Macduff) ducks while Dan (Macbeth) swings his dagger. Casey (Lenox and fight choreographer) looks on and talks the audience through the fight. 

The third and final part of the workshop is an exchange of Shakespearean insults. Yes, you read that right! Did you know that Shakespeare is credited for having created hundreds of popular words in the English language? During Thursday's workshop, Ito (Hecate) chimed in that Shakespeare invented the word "swagger" so Shakespeare is the "original swag"!

A Packer student hurls an insult across the stage.

Two Harlem Academy students have fun creating the most heinous Shakespearean insult yet!

Even teachers get to play! Students from Harlem Academy cheer on their teacher.