Highlights from LAMDA’s Shakespeare Summer School

From busy skills classes to a summer spent in the city, short courses are full of memorable experiences – both in the classroom and out and about.

With so much packed into two months of training, Shakespeare Summer School participant Elias Rozwell walks us through five highlights from an unforgettable summer in London.

1. Inspiring Training

“My time on the 8-Week Shakespeare Summer School was inspiring. I applied to LAMDA with a curiosity to continue expanding my knowledge of classical theatre and text. I was fortunate with the 8-week course that I got to explore both Shakespearean and Jacobean text. 

LAMDA provides rigorous training to actors from all over the world, facilitating a space of international creativity which elevates the stories being told. An aspect of the training that became abundantly necessary was how connected our classes were. Our tutors consistently talked with one another about the material being worked on, allowing for the application of technique to feel much more seamless and understandable.”

2. Busy Days

“Our days started at 9am and went until 5:30pm. The mornings were allocated for three of our twelve skills classes, each lasting an hour and fifteen minutes. The afternoons were dedicated to rehearsals for our projects that we later performed for the greater cohort and faculty. 

Lunch was a great time to spend catching up with classmates, as well as memorizing any material needed for classes the next day. If we didn’t have a masterclass, evenings were spent catching a show in London or working on scenes from our projects.”

3. Acting Classes 

“LAMDA prides its students on being as specific as possible when approaching the work. My acting class was centred around the Uta Hagen Technique which asks actors to answer nine specific questions. These pertain to objective, obstacle, tactics, and what the character may gain or lose in a given circumstance. 

One of LAMDA’s philosophies is that actors learn by doing, and learn by repeating in various ways. It’s imperative for actors to revisit the fundamentals of acting because it reminds us why we ask the questions we ask. I felt very fulfilled with the variety of classes on this course.”

4. Theatre Experiences

“In addition to skills classes and rehearsals, I got to experience some of London’s best theatre. The first group trip with LAMDA was a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe. There we saw Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It was an insightful experience to get to see both these shows hours apart, and compare and contrast the different styles of acting. I was fortunate enough to have worked on Romeo and Juliet as my Shakespeare project this summer and getting to see it done at the Globe was a unique opportunity. 

The second group trip included a night in Stratford Upon-Avon where we saw The Constant Wife at the Royal Shakespeare Company. This marvelous adaptation by Laura Wade in the Swan Theatre was such a theatrical treat; one that I still think about. While in Stratford, we also had the chance to explore the town, as well as Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. A few of my favorite shows that I saw on my own were My Master Builder at the Wyndham’s theatre, and Burlesque at the Savoy theatre.”

5. Summer in London

“There’s no better time to be in London than during the summer. The vibrant scene of live music, ice cream and people crowded around pubs is joyous. One of my favorite spots to hang out is the Southbank just outside the National Theatre. The lively nature of being on the water and everyone eating delicious food is perfect.

With programs like the Shakespeare Summer School, you establish a strong, trusting community amongst your tutors and cohort members. These transformative experiences have been an invaluable part of my career thus far, and have shaped me into the person and actor I strive to be.”

Train in London in Summer 2026