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MAR 30 - APR 25

Instructed by Edward Hall

Courtyard Theater (Sessions 1-3)

Newberry Library (Session 4)

Cost: $125 for full course

Lifelong Learning Course

Demystifying Shakespeare

Taught by Artistic Director Edward Hall

Instructed by Edward Hall

Courtyard Theater (Sessions 1-3)

Newberry Library (Session 4)

Cost: $125 for full course

Chicago Shakespeare’s Rowe Lifelong Learning Series encompasses our growing audience enrichment programs. Engagement with scholars, artists, and the Theater’s staff provide thoughtful points of entry—and those who wish to dig deeper will enjoy another lens through which to understand the plays on our stages, and the art-making behind them.

Have you ever wanted to know what techniques and approaches directors and actors use to crack open the plays of William Shakespeare? Would you like to better understand Shakespeare’s cultural context? New this year, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is excited to announce a course developed in partnership with the Newberry Library. Join Edward Hall (Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and Jill Gage (the Newberry Library’s Custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing and Bibliographer for British Literature and History) in a series of salons to learn more about Shakespeare, his poetry, and his world.

1: Shakespeare’s World
Monday, March 30 | 5:30-7:00 PM

2: The Verse
Monday, April 6 | 5:30-7:00 PM

3: From Page to Stage
Monday, April 13 | 5:30-7:00 PM

4: Optional Bonus session at the Newberry Library*
Saturday, April 25 | Select either 10:00 AM OR 12:30 PM

*4th class is included with registration fee, but separate sign up will be required for Session 4 at a later date. 

By registering for this course, we highly encourage you to attend all sessions between 1-3.

Chicago Shakespeare’s Rowe Lifelong Learning Series encompasses our growing audience enrichment programs. Engagement with scholars, artists, and the Theater’s staff provide thoughtful points of entry—and those who wish to dig deeper will enjoy another lens through which to understand the plays on our stages, and the art-making behind them.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Close-up of Artistic Director Edward Hall, a man with short, tousled dark hair, wearing a dark jacket, looking slightly to the left with a neutral expression.

Edward Hall

Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair
Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Acclaimed theater, television, and film director Edward Hall joined Chicago Shakespeare Theater in October 2023 as Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair. In February 2024, he directed his debut production as Artistic Director—Richard III. In the 2024/25 season, he directed Henry V, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Sunny Afternoon and in the 2025/26 season, he is directing Short Shakespeare! Hamlet. He previously directed the Rose Rage trilogy of Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3 at Chicago Shakespeare in 2003, garnering significant critical acclaim and the Jeff Award for Best Direction.

Edward Hall

Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair
Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Acclaimed theater, television, and film director Edward Hall joined Chicago Shakespeare Theater in October 2023 as Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair. In February 2024, he directed his debut production as Artistic Director—Richard III. In the 2024/25 season, he directed Henry V, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Sunny Afternoon and in the 2025/26 season, he is directing Short Shakespeare! Hamlet. He previously directed the Rose Rage trilogy of Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3 at Chicago Shakespeare in 2003, garnering significant critical acclaim and the Jeff Award for Best Direction.

Jill Gage

Custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing
Newberry Library

Jill Gage has been the Custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing at the Newberry Library since 2016. The Wing Foundation is one of the world’s leading collections in its field. She holds a Ph.D. in English (University of London) and an M.S. in Library and Information Science (University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign).

Jill Gage

Custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing
Newberry Library

Jill Gage has been the Custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing at the Newberry Library since 2016. The Wing Foundation is one of the world’s leading collections in its field. She holds a Ph.D. in English (University of London) and an M.S. in Library and Information Science (University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign).