I've been attending The Shakespeare Forum's open workshop for years, and it remains - as it was in the beginning - the most supportive acting community I've ever encountered. Their priority as teachers is to help you hone your craft and achieve your goals - rather than mold you into a cookie-cutter idea of what someone else thinks an artist should be. I've grown so much with them - in my confidence as a performer, and in my ability to give constructive feedback to my fellow artists.
As an actor and a scholar, I feel this group is one of the best resources in New York City for Shakespeare and for generally being present in performance. I have been to their open workshop many times over the years, and love their structure of asking the performer what feedback they would like to focus on, sharing feedback from someone in the Shakespeare Forum group, then opening it up to the whole of the group present at the workshop.
Having also experienced a little of their more-in-depth workshops, I know each member of this group to be dedicated, knowledgeable, and professional in how they inform and help those in their classes.
I recommend The Shakespeare Forum to actors who are interested in Shakespeare, Shakespearean actors and scholars, and anyone who wants to experience an open, welcoming group as this is.
I feel very fortunate to have heard rumours of the open workshop The Shakespeare Forum run, and extraordinarily glad I was brave enough to go along when I was in the city.
What a gift that this wonderful organisation are giving New York City. They have created a home for actors in the heart of Manhattan - a place where everyone can learn from each other and work on a regular basis.
The amount of creativity, knowledge and love in the room from week to week is astounding, inspiring and very, very special. I always go to Forum when I'm in the city on a Tuesday night, and I recommend it to anyone with a love of classical text, whatever sort of theatrical badass they are. Check it out.