Tap into the experience and expertise of the Australian Shakespeare Company's actors, directors and educators with our incursions for Theatre Studies and English students. Teachers benefit too with our one-on-one intensive to help develop your Shakespeare unit.

LOCATIONS: Melbourne metro area. Non-metro and interstate schools please contact us for a quote.
AVAILABLE: Terms 1, 2, 3, 4
BOOKINGS: download and complete a booking request form

Please direct enquiries to our Education and Creative Development Manager, Josephine Bloom: 0416 635 880 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Skip down to information:
Play On Shakespeare
Henry IV Part 1 Incursion
Shakespeare Intensive
Shakespeare Characterisation
Professional Approach
Shakespeare Unit Development

"A great performance, it was great to see the students so involved. The students really really loved it, and so did I." – Nicole Adornetto, AIMS teacher

"I like the way they act, the way they explain the story to the audience and the way they ask the questions back. I learnt about different ways of acting." Chinh Chanleakhena, AIMS student

Play On Shakespeare
Two Australian Shakespeare Company actors perform a selection of Shakespeare’s most celebrated scenes from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, ROMEO & JULIET, HAMLET and MACBETH. Students will be on their feet immersing themselves in the characters, language and atmosphere. They can expect to be involved in the scenes, stomping the rhythm of the language and creating the atmosphere of Shakespeare’s Globe. The renowned company style of making Shakespeare accessible and exciting gives students the chance to enjoy dynamic scene performances that include sword fighting, romance, magic and madness, giving students a positive and playful introduction to Shakespeare.

FOCUS: An introduction to Shakespeare
YEAR LEVEL: upper primary or years 7 to 9
MAX: 100 students per session
COST: $750 incl GST for a 60 minute session

Henry IV Part 1 Incursion

A party boy becomes a Prince. A battle is fought and won. History is made and legends are born.

Polished performances from four seasoned Shakespeare actors combine with insightful discussion giving students a chance to immediately bridge the gap from stage to page. Dual characterisation of Hal and Hotspur show the similarities and differences of the two rivals. Ideas and themes are enhanced with the use of multimedia and the interactive elements of the show have the students on their feet immersing themselves in the bawdy world that gave Falstaff his reputation.

The quest for honour remains but a question: “What is honour? A word.”

YEAR LEVEL: 10 to 12
MAX: 100 students per session
COST: Melbourne metro $1,000 incl GST for a 60 minute session.
Please contact us for a quote if a two hour session is preferred or for regional or interstate schools.

Shakespeare Intensive
For an in depth exploration of an individual Shakespeare play our experienced actors and educators have developed workshops focussing on ROMEO & JULIET, MACBETH, HAMLET and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Sessions include performances of key scenes, analysis of language, exploring the themes, discovering the historical context of the play and a discussion on the significant relationships of the play. These entertaining and insightful sessions also give students a chance to be a part of the action - getting them on their feet and engaged with the story.

YEAR LEVEL: can be adapted for primary or secondary
MAX: 100 students per session
COST: $850 for a 60 minute session

Shakespeare Characterisation
How does Juliet sound? How does Richard III move? What is Lady Macbeth’s motivation? Focusing on individual characters this workshop gives students the chance to sculpt how they see a character. An Australian Shakespeare Company actor will be putty in the students’ hands as they mould the actor into their interpretation of how the character should move, sound and think. Using characterisation techniques, script analysis and setting the social and historical context, the actor will perform selected speeches that bring the students unique interpretation to life. Designed to gives students the chance to see how one script is open to many interpretations, this 60 minute session will spark debate and discussion around the characters motivations and actions.

Available for the following characters (only 3 character creations per session):
ROMEO & JULIET: Juliet, Lady Capulet, Nurse, Romeo, Lord Capulet, Mercutio
MACBETH: Lady Macbeth, Witches, Hecat, Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff
HAMLET: Gertrude, Ophelia, Hamlet, Claudius, Horatio
RICHARD III: Lady Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Margaret, Richard III, Buckingham, Richmond

FOCUS: character interpretation
YEAR LEVEL: 10 to 12
MAX: 100 students per session
COST: $400 incl GST for 60 minute session

Professional Approach
A professional director from the Australian Shakespeare Company will come to your school and work with the cast at the beginning of the rehearsal period to instill a sense of vigour in approaching the play, unlocking the language. The director may also be booked for the end of the rehearsals, or for monologue sessions.

YEAR LEVEL: any
COST: $200 for a 60 minute session

Shakespeare Unit Development
An Australian Shakespeare Company educator will spend one intensive session at your school assisting in the development of your Shakespeare unit. New activities, creative strategies, and practical outcome driven exercises will be discussed to help students connect with the play and invigorate your approach.

COST: $200 for a 60 minute session
YEAR LEVEL: any

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