Shakespeare & Young Company is where high school and college students age 16-20 can begin or continue their actor training. Many students are first introduced to the work through residencies, the Fall Festival, or weekend workshops offered by the training program. Young Company sessions are offered in the Spring and Summer.

Shakespeare & Young Company is designed to further develop young actors and empower them as creative individuals who can work well collaboratively. Our training develops the skills necessary to be more creative and to effectively communicate thoughts and feelings in a communal environment. This is not actor training ‘lite’ but rather intense training geared to the age and experience of the students.

Training can include acting, voice and movement work, text analysis, stage combat, dance, and clown taught by professional actors, teachers and directors of Shakespeare & Company. Auditions are required. Spring session classes are held in the evenings and weekends and culminate in a public performance on our Mainstage. The summer session offers an expanded schedule and performs in the Rose Footprint Theatre.

Financial Assistance is available. Click here for an application »

Summer Session Financial aid: Partial Scholarships and Work-study are available. Please call us (413-637-1199 x172) to find out more or to receive a Financial Aid Application. If you qualify, you may also apply for the Berkshire Resident Scholarship (for full time Berkshire county residents) or the Mari and Kenneth Share Scholarship Fund (this is a scholarship and housing stipend for African-American students).

This program has been offered annually since 1990.