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On Saturday November 17, Northeastern theatre students will experience a full-day master class intensive on performing Shakespeare with teacher-director-actor David Demke from the famed Shakespeare & Company.

Demke is the Associate Director of Training for Shakespeare & Company where he has directed, acted, and taught voice, acting, and movement. Located in Lenox, Massachusetts, Shakespeare & Company was founded in 1978 by artistic director Tina Packer and Kristin Linklater, who developed the Linklater vocal technique. The company performs both Shakespeare and new plays of social significance, reaching over 75,000 patrons annually. It is well known for its Shakespeare “intensive” training programs for professional classical actors.

“I believe great art is born out of three things: desire, freedom, and discipline,” according to Demke. “This belief guides all aspects of my teaching. I reinforce curiosity and passion as the means for awakening desire in my students. I engage in their sense of play to free their imaginations and stimulate creativity. Most importantly, I want my students to believe in themselves. I want them to breathe, embrace risk, and perform with courageous generosity.”

Demke has taught at Boston University, Emerson College, and Brandeis University.  As an actor he has appeared in productions in New York and regionally, internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in Beijing, China. As a director, Demke has worked extensively at Shakespeare & Company and universities nationwide. He was the Artistic Director of Stark Raving Theatre in Portland, OR; and a principle dancer with the Red River Dance Company.

Demke will return to campus next semester to direct the Northeastern production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream which will be performed in the NU Studio Theatre from March 23 to April 2, 2017. Auditions are December 7, and all students are invited to sign up in the theatre office, 180 Ryder Hall.