Hear from leading academics, actors, directors and RSC staff about Shakespeare, theatre and the shows on our stages.
ABOUT THE SUMMER SCHOOL
The 78th RSC Summer School will take place from 26 to 29 August 2025.
Join us for a week-long programme with leading academics, actors, directors and RSC staff about Shakespeare, theatre and the shows on our stages in the 2025/26 season.
At the RSC Summer School you will meet and hear from leading members of the acting companies and creative teams to explore the choices made for the productions on our stages. Participants will have the opportunity to find out more about how theatre is made at the RSC. You will also hear from leading academics, arranged in association with The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham.
The programme will be confirmed in early Summer 2025.
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Performances
We recommend seeing the productions that will be explored during the week. You can see these at any time but if you wish to see them during the week we recommend attending the following performances:
Tuesday 26 August: The Winter's Tale
Wednesday 27 August: Fat Ham
Thursday 28 August: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Tickets
You can join us for the whole week, a day or just a session. Week tickets and day tickets must be purchased in advance.
Week tickets are now on sale, book online or by calling our Box Office on 01789 331111. Day tickets will go on sale from 10 June in Priority Booking and from 25 June for Public Booking.
- £180 for the week
- £50 for a day
Programme
Tuesday
On our first day we will be focusing on The Winter's Tale. Speakers will include:
- Cast members of The Winter's Tale
- Professor Michael Dobson
- Michael Grady Hall and Ellen Hartley
Wednesday
On Wednesday we will explore Fat Ham and the wider work of the RSC. Speakers will include:
- Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Director
- Professor Graham Saunders
Thursday
Thursday is only available to week ticket holders (no day tickets available). Speakers include:
After a morning session in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre we will move to the Arden Hotel for a buffet lunch, an opportunity to socialise with other attendees. Following the buffet, we will also have a drop-in session of displays and light interactive activities at The Other Place, which will include practitioners and members of our Collections team, exploring the idea of Shakespeare’s Imagined Italy.
Friday
On Friday we will hear about Shakespeare for Young People and look at The Two Gentlemen of Verona.Speakers will include:
- Joanna Bowman, Director, The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Jacqui O'Hanlon, DIrector of Creative Learning and Engagement
- Justine Themen, Director, First Encounters King Lear
Further updates on the programme will be made as details are confirmed. Please note the programme is subject to change in the case of extenuating circumstances.
Any enquires please contact summer@rsc.org.uk
The RSC Summer School is delivered in collaboration with The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham.
The work of the RSC Creative Learning and Engagement team is supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, GRoW @ Annenberg, The Polonsky Foundation, The Thompson Family Charitable Trust and other generous supporters.
