Royal Shakespeare Company Residency at Montclair Offers Students an Immersive Theater Experience

The world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company has returned for its second year in residence at Montclair State University, offering students an unparalleled opportunity to engage with Shakespeare’s work through immersive guest artist classes. The residency is part of a three-year pilot program in collaboration with Montclair’s College of the Arts, designed to give students hands-on experience with the RSC’s renowned actors and directors.

Kathleen Kelley, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, emphasizes the uniqueness of this partnership:

“The RSC partners with only a few schools in the United States, the two-week program at MSU offers a unique, in-depth residency model. Our students get to completely immerse themselves with the practitioners all day, diving into acting workshops, directing workshops and culminating with a directed script-in-hand performance of Twelfth Night.”

Workshops and Performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company

The endurance of Shakespeare is his timelessness and continued relevance and directors at the RSC always ask “Why this play, why now?” Students work directly with Royal Shakespeare Company professionals to explore “Why Shakespeare Now?” – taking a deep dive into the relevance of what Shakespeare means today. Through workshops on directing, acting and teaching, students develop new techniques to perform Shakespeare’s timeless plays, such as As You Like It and Twelfth Night.

Kelley adds: “The RSC actors and directors are truly world-class artists who are committed to education. They are practitioners at the top of their game, and are able to push our students to new places and challenge them to expand their artistry in entirely new ways. The RSC educational philosophy allows students to not just replicate customary performances but bring Shakespeare’s work to life in the modern world.”

Student Experience: How the RSC Residency Impacts Montclair Students

For Montclair State University theater students, the RSC residency has provided invaluable growth. Kyle Ahmeer Bethea, a senior Musical Theatre major, reflects on his experience: “Working with the RSC on Richard III enhanced my text analysis and acting skills. The tools I gained from these workshops will be a lifelong asset.”

Bethea, who is preparing for a career in musical theater, says the RSC residency not only boosted his confidence but also helped him refine his craft in unexpected ways. After completing his degree, he hopes to pursue opportunities on Broadway, national tours and cruise ship performances.

Shakespeare’s Enduring Legacy and the Future of the RSC Partnership

Shakespeare’s works continue to captivate audiences worldwide, and at Montclair, students are learning to interpret and perform his plays in innovative ways.

Kelley notes: “Shakespeare’s work is foundational to English-language theater and storytelling, but the RSC shows our students how to make these works relevant to today’s audiences by exploring universal themes like power, desire and human relationships.”

As the three-year RSC residency program continues, Montclair officials are hopeful it will evolve into a long-term partnership, providing future generations of theater students with unparalleled access to world-class training.

Upcoming Performances at Montclair 

As part of the residency, the RSC will present two public performances at Montclair State University this month:

• A live rehearsal by RSC artists of As You Like It 
• A script-in-hand performance by Montclair’s Acting and Musical Theatre students of Twelfth Night

These performances will give audiences a rare glimpse into the creative process of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Montclair students.

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