“Inspired by these sessions, I resumed a practice that I had neglected for a while: reading stories aloud to my wife.”

— Class Participant

Shakespeare for Parkinson’s combines the Bard’s poetry and scenes from  his plays with movements designed to activate all the muscles of the body,  strengthen the voice and speech, stimulate the imagination and improve  memory – all of which carry over to the activities of daily living. 

“The leaders are very positive and encouraging. The material is real. The words beg you to articulate and embrace them.”

— Class Participant

Explore Shakespeare

Make Friends With Your Body

Have Fun

 
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Movement

Every class includes a progression of exercises that activate and warm up the entire body, supporting participants' agility, coordination, and physical expression.

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Voice

Each class uses exercises that improve vocal power, range, resonance, and breath capacity. Voice work is combined speech exercises that activate all the vowel and consonant sounds through fun drills, tongue twisters, and Shakespeare's poetry.

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Expression

Class culminates with an integration of voice, speech, expressive movement, and acting exercises to explore a sonnet, a scene, or a soliloquy from one of Shakespeare’s plays.

 
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Acting Through COVID

While we can’t wait to get together for group class sessions, we have adapted to life at home.

Join the whole class with video-sharing and enjoy the same activities right from your house.

"…An atmosphere of safety, and class members really opened up and shared. It was so special and so rare. You could touch the closeness. We are not merely individuals in a Zoom square, but friendships are forming." 

— Class Participant

“It makes me so happy. It's fun, and I surprise myself at how well I am doing at something I thought I had no talent for.”

— Class Participant

 

Shakespeare for Parkinson’s is supported by a Community Grant from The Parkinson’s Foundation.

Thanks to their support, this program is free for all patients and caregivers.

Upcoming Class Sessions

Ongoing Enrollment

Sessions are MONDAYS on ZOOM

  • Class: 1 - 2:15pm

    Shakespeare for Parkinson’s combines the Bard’s poetry and scenes from his plays with movements designed to activate all the muscles of the body, strengthen the voice and speech, stimulate the imagination and improve memory – all of which carry over to the activities of daily living.

  • Theatre Troupe: 2:30 - 3pm

    Participants will rehearse Shakespeare's texts for performance using the same techniques as theater professionals.

Fall 2023 Calendar:

  • October 5, 19, 26

  • November 2, 9, 16, 30

  • April 3, 10, 17

  • December 7, 14, 21

Class is Always Free

Sign Up Here

Include your contact information below and we’ll reach out with all the details you’ll need to get started.