“The skills learned to act in plays with ‘heightened language’ strengthen every kind of acting from contemporary to classic playwrights,” says Ann Ciccolella, Artistic Director of Austin Shakespeare, as the company invites actors to its Acting Workshop, where you can work on scenes and speeches from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams to Harold Pinter. Suggested material includes Tom Stoppard, Ibsen, Chekhov and Shaw. Activities focus on building the actor’s mind and spirit, body and voice. This course will culminate in a showcase for friends and family on Wednesday, July 20.

Classes are 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, July 5 and 6; 12 and 13; 19 and 20 at Austin Playwrights Studio 5555 North Lamar Suite K 125 conveniently located off Koenig & Lamar.

ABOUT ANN CICCOLELLA: Besides serving as Artistic Director for Austin Shakespeare where she has directed over 30 shows (Shakespeare, Wilde, Schiller, Stoppard, Euripides, et al.), Ann has directed Closer, Vagina Monologues, Stephen King’s Misery, Master Class, Full Gallop, Cabaret, A Little Night Music, and Into the Woods. Ann has also taught acting at University of Texas Austin. She recommends Karen Kohlhaas’ books The Monologue Audition and How to Choose a Monologue for Any Audition.