RSC Summer Residency

The Royal Shakespeare Company hosted a Summer Learning Residency in Stratford-upon-Avon, July 24–28, 2023.

During the week of 24-28 July (21-30 July with travel), the RSC hosted 15 Davidson students in Stratford-upon-Avon for an immersive residency that focused on page-to-stage processes.

A series of workshops centered on As You Like It, which was in production at the main Shakespeare theater. Students also saw and discussed a new work, The Empress, which was in production at the Swan. It concerns colonialism during Victoria’s reign.

The residency, which included workshops on all manner of production—from directing to rehearsing to scenic design—was appropriate for English, Theatre, History majors and more.

Here is a summary of the work that students did with theater professionals:

• Worked with and met Actors and Directors from the RSC in their rehearsal rooms
• Saw productions at a world-renowned theatre company
• Learned about the Design process of As You Like It
• Explored how RSC productions are directed and staged with text, movement and voice workshops
• Went behind-the-scenes, took a backstage tour and visited the craftwork of the Costume Workshop