The Actor’s Edge: Classic & Contemporary Theatre is a six-week intensive for adults (18+) who already have some stage or acting experience and want to sharpen their craft. Participants will dive into the great dramatic texts of past and present—from Shakespeare and Chekhov to Mamet, Marber, and McDonagh—while exploring cutting-edge performance techniques.

Through guided script analysis, rehearsed readings, ensemble exercises, and scene work, actors will develop a deeper understanding of text, character, and the physical life of performance. The program culminates in a final open studio presentation of selected scenes for invited guests.

Materials Provided: Scene packets, selected monologues, recommended reading list

Vincent A. O’Reilly is an award-winning Irish director and playwright with an M.A. in Directing for Theatre (First Class Honours) from University College Dublin. Founder and former Artistic Director of Sheer Tantrum Ltd, he has created and staged numerous world-premiere productions across Ireland and Europe, from bold adaptations of Ibsen to acclaimed new works such as Jack Kairo and The Long Hard Kiss Goodbye. His inventive direction has been praised by The Irish Independent and The Irish Times for its “high level of comic inventiveness” and “buoyant, well-paced action.” O’Reilly’s work blends classical and contemporary influences, bringing sharp text analysis and striking physicality to every production.

Who Should Enroll:
Actors, directors, and theatre practitioners with prior training or performance experience who are eager to deepen their interpretive and performance skills.

Key Takeaways:
- Advanced tools for text analysis and character development
- Techniques for classical and contemporary styles
- Experience with ensemble collaboration and devised theatre methods
- Confidence in rehearsal and performance settings

(see six week course outline on our website)

REGISTER

For questions or more information contact:

Hampton Arts Education: ronald.boucher@hampton.gov