Tips for Beginners: Reading the Play

We all know we need to read the full play before an audition, but if you're new to Shakespeare, that can feel like a real slog! Here are some quick tips for beginner actors reading Shakespeare:

👉 Read a synopsis and/or watch a film(ed) version first.

It helps to know what might be coming up in the plot. Some synopses are incredibly complex and can be more overwhelming than actually reading the play, so if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, just hit up Marquee TV or Digital Theatre and find a version of the play that you can watch. Some actors are concerned that watching a film version first will influence their interpretation of the character, but there's a solution to that... watch as many different versions as possible. Professional versions are best, but if you can't find any, YouTube is fine.

👉The first time you read the play, read it as fast as you can.

Your goal is to get through it without feeling overwhelmed or disheartened. Just get a general idea of the shape of it. DO NOT TRY TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING. Instead, notice the TYPE of language that is being used in each scene. Are they using flowery adjectives? Rude-sounding puns? Military language? Notice the general FEEL of what is being said, without getting into literal translation. 

👉Read footnotes/annotations for your scene only, not the whole play.

Once you've read the full play quickly to get a general understanding, go back and read your scene in more detail. This is when you want to dive into the annotations given to you. If you can access a Shakespeare glossary, that can be very helpful too. If you still can't understand what's happening, google short phrases or specific terms that come up in the monologue or scene.

👉Did you know there are plenty of audiobook versions of Shakespeare available? Many of them are 'dramatised' so they have cute little sound effects of footsteps, birds chirping, swords clanging... Check out Audible or iTunes and listen to samples before you choose. Look for versions that have multiple actors playing different roles, not just a single reader. This makes it easier to follow. Then read along while you listen. (BONUS: you can put it on 1.5x or 2x speed if you want to get through it fast!)

👉 Read out loud.

Shakespeare is meant to be HEARD and FELT. Trust me when I say that this will make things sooooo much easier. If you find yourself feeling frustrated, just say the words aloud and see how it makes you feel. 

Overall, I just want to give you permission to feel frustrated sometimes! If you're new to Shakespeare or English is not your native language, it's normal to find it tricky. Show yourself some kindness and take things slowly. Giving yourself plenty of time to prepare is the best thing you can do.