Information About Rhiannon - Northampton teacher

Personal Description:

I am an educator, performer, and director, with a masters degree in Shakespeare Studies. Whether you are approaching Shakespeare for the first time, working on drama school audition pieces, or are an experienced performer, I would absolutely love to work with you!

Having directed, adapted, and performed Shakespeare for over fifteen years, I am dedicated to demystifying Shakespeare, finding better ways to teach and perform his works, and instilling in my tutees the confidence to approach him in a way that is enriching and enjoyable for both the performer, and for their audience. My approach to Shakespeare is text-based, applying the work of both academics and practitioners to create informed performances, and I like to experiment with applying different systems according to a tutee’s needs and preferences. I work to find an individual “way in” for each tutee, to allow them to connect to the text according to their own experience and interests, and to foster their own creativity when interpreting character and performance. I hope I get to share my infectious passion for Shakespeare with you!

Teaching Experience:

- Currently a Drama Education Assistant with Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust
- MA Shakespeare Studies, University of Birmingham
- 15 years' experience performing, directing, and adapting Shakespeare
- 6 years' experience directing actors for the stage
- BA English Literature, University of Warwick
- 3 years' private tutoring experience, both primary and secondary
- 1.5 years' as a Teaching Assistant, primary

Teaching Approach:

I am based in Northampton but I offer online teaching.

I understand that every tutee has a different learning style, and work to design individual exercises to fulfil goals while also fitting their interests and needs. When it comes to coaching acting, I am text-led and practitioner-based, but I work according to each tutee's individual needs. With Shakespeare, I believe there is a middle ground between being verse-led and sense-led, and work to create informed yet modern performances of early modern texts. I am passionate about finding a "way in" for tutees to connect to the texts on their own terms in a way that is both interesting and enjoyable. Though I encourage students to push themselves beyond their comfort zones, I ensure I create a safe environment where mistakes are learning opportunities. It is important to instil confidence in tutees’ abilities, which are invariably better than they believe, and ensure they feel as positive as they can when walking into an examination, completing an audition, or entering show week.