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 to work in a variety of collaboration opportunities.
Mr Huw McKinnon and Associate Professor Huw Griffiths at HSC Seminar 2022. Photo taken by Clare Hawley.
In these annual Shakespeare seminars, Professor Liam Semler and Associate Professor Huw Griffiths from the Discipline of English at the University of Sydney 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 also perform 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 upcoming HSC exams.
Combining rigorous literary analysis with illuminating dramatic insights into the plays, these sessions will be presented in an approachable, conversational format emphasising the interplay between text and drama.
Students and teachers are encouraged to ask and discuss questions live, as it is an opportunity to connect them with Bell Shakespeare artists, leading academics from the University of Sydney, and fellow students completing their HSC.
Seminar details:
Thank you for those who joined us at the 2024 seminars.
2025 seminar information will be available towards the end of 2024.
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.
The Merchant of Venice
Professor Liam Semler from the University of Sydney, Associate Director James Evans and The Players from Bell Shakespeare.
Richard is one of Shakespeare’s great creations: as funny as he is vicious; as pathetic as he is terrifying. We're looking forward to exploring all of his possibilities through this interactive workshop.
Banner image: Bell Shakespeare's Richard 3 (c) Prudence Upton.