HSC Shakespeare Seminars

Bell Shakespeare is national theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other classics. Since its extraordinary journey began in 1990, Bell Shakespeare has shared the timeless beauty of Shakespeare and other classics with young people, teachers, communities and audiences in every state and territory of Australia. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is proud to have partnered with Bell Shakespeare and working in a variety of collaboration opportunities.

In these annual Shakespeare seminars, the University of Sydney academics from English discipline, Professor Liam Semler and Associate Professor Huw Griffiths from the Discipline of English at the University of Sydney and Professor Penny Gay collaborate with James Evans, Associate Director of Bell Shakespeare, to discuss and explore each play.    

Each session includes in-depth analysis by one of our academics, covering close reading, literary techniques, different interpretations, themes, and character analysis. The Players from Bell Shakespeare will be performing key scenes and soliloquies. Part performance, part interactive seminar, these sessions are designed to directly link to HSC modules and give students the edge in their HSC exams.

Combining rigorous literary analysis with illuminating dramatic insights into the plays, sessions will be presented in an approachable, conversational format showing the interplay between text and drama.

Students and teachers are encouraged to ask and discuss questions live, connecting them with Bell Shakespeare artists, leading University of Sydney academics, and other students completing their HSC.

Seminar details:

2023 seminars have concluded. We look forward to seeing you in May 2024.

The Merchant of Venice

Professor Liam Semler from the University of Sydney, Associate Director James Evans and The Players from Bell Shakespeare.

Richard III / Looking for Richard

With Associate Professor Huw Griffiths from the University of Sydney, Associate Director James Evans and The Players from Bell Shakespeare.

The Tempest / Hag-Seed

With Professor Liam Semler from the University of Sydney, Associate Director James Evans and The Players from Bell Shakespeare.

Banner image: Bell Shakespeare's Richard 3 (c) Prudence Upton.