Through funding from the Alabama Humanities Foundation, Adams Foundation, Young Boozer Family Foundation, and Starbucks Foundation, ASF offers teacher seminars approved for professional development credit through the University of Alabama. Theatre professionals provide innovative ways to meet state course of study standards through activities linked to ASF's current productions.
February 6 Geoffrey Sherman and Diana Van Fossen will share their directors' insight into the madcap antics of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. These artists will lead the workshop after teachers see a SchoolFest performance of this production. The seminar will show teachers how to use Shakespeare's language in the study of his plays incorporating elements of character, plot and the very special comic techniques used in the performance of The Comedy of Errors. Geoffrey Sherman is the Producing Artistic Director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival who has directed over forty plays on both sides of the Atlantic and received countless awards for his productions. Ms. Van Fossen, trained at the UK's Bristol Old Vic Theatre and performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has taught, directed and played leading roles Off-Broadway and in many major US regional theatres.
March 20 leading actor and teaching artist Esau Pritchett, who plays the title role in this season's Othello, will conduct this workshop on one of the most thrilling and powerful of all Shakespeare's plays. Teachers will have first hand exposure to the artist and his process in the creation of the Bard's demanding role. Join us in this exciting workshop with Mr. Pritchett and other members of his cast exploring the themes, language and characters of Othello. ASF is fortunate to welcome back Mr. Pritchett who has performed in New York and around the United Stages on stage and in film and television. He was last seen in our 2006 Repertory Season in which he gave an unforgettably haunting performance as Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird.
To reserve your place, Download Registration Form and mail with payment to the Education Department at ASF. The registration fee of $40 covers the play (if applicable), lunch at ASF, and all sessions. Seminars begin at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss by 4:00 p.m. If your school system is paying for this professional development, you may reserve by writing the purchase order number on the form and sending payment later. We hope to see you soon at one of the most pleasant and stimulating professional development workshops you'll ever attend.
Greta Lambert, Director of Education, email 1-800-841-4273, Option 3 or 334-271-5345
