Teaching Shakespeare
Through Performance
Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance is our flagship teacher training course for continuing professional development.
You’ll join English and Drama teachers from all over the world at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, to study teaching Shakespeare in our theatres and studios for two weeks.
Described by teachers as ‘life-changing’ and ‘extremely beneficial’, this active and in-depth course provides a unique chance to immerse yourself in teaching Shakespeare, inspired and informed by our world-famous theatres that reconstruct the playing conditions of his time.
DETAILS
COURSE FEE
£2570
LOCATION
This event is on-site at Shakespeare’s Globe
COURSE DATES
Monday 13 July – Friday 24 July 2026 (weekdays only), with an optional reception on Sunday 12 July.
About the course
Across two weeks, you’ll take part in classroom workshops, seminars, lectures and rehearsals, and watch performances in the iconic Globe Theatre.
The course is led by expert Globe Education Practitioners, who are working actors and directors with deep expertise in education.
You’ll gain practical approaches and drama techniques to deepen your students’ understanding of Shakespeare’s plays, including:
- deep analysis of Shakespeare’s craft
- study of the plays in their historical context
- exploration of socially conscious interpretations of the text and how to inspire sensitive classroom conversations about these topics
You’ll also put yourself in the student’s shoes by engaging with the text as a performer, under the guidance of professional actors and directors, as well as movement and voice specialists.
Testimonials
100% of Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance 2025 attendees said:
- The course made them feel invested in and valued
- The course helped them understand the mindset of a student learning Shakespeare
- They would recommend the course to other teachers
“A dream come true experience… Would come back and do the whole thing again.”
“I feel so honoured to have had this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“I am so grateful for this experience. It has forever changed my pedagogy. This course will stick with me for life.”
“This was a wonderful experience! Thank you so so much for the opportunity! I have so many great things I plan to take back to my classroom and my life because of this programme. Truly life changing!”
“This class has made a profound impact. Even after 29 years, I am still always looking for different ways to impact my students. My brain is overflowing with ideas, not just for Shakespeare but other literature as well.”
“The sessions were designed so thoughtfully. We were up on our feet, sitting and discussing the text, and listening with grateful ears.”
Who is the course for?
- Secondary school English Literature or Drama teachers
- Leaders within English teaching: Heads of English, Key Stage Leads for English, Multi-Academy Trust Leads for English, Borough / Local Area Leads for English
- Creative Arts or Drama teaching leaders
- Educators who train English and Drama teachers and are looking to develop their practice
Course Schedule
Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance 2026 runs from Monday 13 July – Friday 24 July (weekdays only), with optional attendance to a welcome reception on Sunday 12 July.
Contact hours are 10:00 – 16:00, with lunch from 12:30 – 13:30 each day.
The course is a mix of sessions each week led by your Course Director (focused on classroom practice) and Scene Director (focused on rehearsal room practice).
In addition to this, each week also includes:
- A seated ticket to a show in the Shakespeare’s Globe summer production season. Each of these performances will be prefaced by an Introduction to Text lecture, led by one of our in-house Shakespeare scholars.
- A socially conscious Shakespeare seminar, led by specialist practitioners, targeting one of the following topics for investigation: Shakespeare and Sexuality, Shakespeare and Race, Shakespeare and Ableism or Shakespeare and Women.
- At least one specialist performance workshop focusing on one of the following elements of Globe Performance Practice: Voice, Renaissance Dance, Stage Combat, Movement, and Elizabethan Music.
- In sessions with the Scene Director, teachers work in groups to produce a scene for the theatre stage. They will share their scene on the final day of the course, Friday 24 July, to a small audience including friends and families.
Pricing and Practicalities
The course fee for Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance is £2,570 per person, which includes tuition fees, welcome reception, seated tickets for 2 Globe productions that you must attend as part of the course.
Funding Your Place
At Shakespeare’s Globe, we want to inspire everyone to engage with and enjoy literature, theatre and Shakespeare. If you are interested in applying to Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance but are struggling to raise funds, we recommend the following options:
If you work for a Multi-Academy Trust in the UK, you may be eligible for funding through the training budget.
You may be able to seek funding in the form of a grant from an Educational Trust / Charity, for example: The Clore Duffield Foundation, Evolve Advice, the HMCK Charity, the Jack Petchey Foundation, John Lyons Charity and Fund For Teachers (US applicants only)
Every year, the English Speaking Union of the United States (ESU US) provides National and Local ESU Branch sponsored Travel and Learn Abroad (TLab) full and partial scholarships for teachers in their communities to attend Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance. ESU Branch TLab Scholarships are for current classroom teachers. To see if there is an ESU US Branch offering a TLab Scholarship in your area, email [email protected] or [email protected].
Applying from outside the UK
You do not need a VISA for Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance, but you will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). Shakespeare’s Globe will provide a letter confirming your participation in the programme to present at immigration if required.
Accommodation & Travel
Please note that Shakespeare’s Globe does not provide accommodation for attendees of Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance but can provide some local recommendations upon request. In keeping with our environmental sustainability strategy, we recommend that all attendees walk, use public transport or cycle to the Globe each day of the course.
Apply Now
Applicants must use the form below to submit:
- two letters of recommendations from professional contacts
- your current CV
- a one-page personal statement, which should detail what you hope to gain from the course, how you hope it will affect your classroom practice, and how you plan on disseminating the practice at your home institution.
Apply before Friday 29 May 2026 for your application to be reviewed by the team. Applications after this date will be considered but we cannot guarantee a response before the course begins.
ESU US TLab Applicants
If you are a current middle or high school English Literature or Drama teacher from the United States, you are eligible to apply through the ESU US. You will need to complete and submit the ESU US Globe TSTP 2026 Application which includes uploading:
- two letters of recommendation from professional contacts
- your current CV
- a one-page personal statement detailing what you hope to gain from the course, how you hope it will affect your classroom practice, and how you plan on disseminating the practice at your school.
- More information can be found on the ESU website.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance, please get in touch:
Call us: 0207 902 1433
Email: [email protected]
If you are a US teacher, please call (212) 818 1200, ext. 212, or email Alice Uhl at [email protected] or [email protected].