I knew a couple of people who had gone to the Shakespeare Institute and they are fascinating people who can discuss Shakespeare deeply on a variety of topics. When it came to choosing a place to do a masters program I remembered them and thought that I would want my postgraduate course to give me this type of profound knowledge upon which to draw for my future career choices. I am truly enjoying studying Shakespeare from many different angles and deepening my passion for this work with every module.

I loved the module Bodies of Knowledge and Professor Chris Laoutaris! Chris has designed this module in such a creative way and he got us to examine the plays through unexpected and delightful lenses. He was a kind and generous teacher who inspired me to want to delve deeper into my enjoyment of Shakespeare’s work and carry on those investigations in the years to come.

I have encountered so many new ways of looking at theatre studies and the creative work of putting theatre together. In my previous work as Artistic Director of my own company I was always a “one-man-band,” doing all the jobs myself, but now I have discovered colleagues and fellow “geeks” with whom I hope to continue collaborating. It has also been an honour to work with incredible professionals from the RSC – the opportunity of a lifetime!

I have also learned much more advanced research skills which I will apply to future writing. The Shakespeare Institute Library and the FindIt service are excellent assets that I have tried to take full advantage of.

The University’s willingness to welcome an older student like myself. The programme has been a challenge but I feel all the stronger for it.

I love living in Stratford! I walk past incredible history every day and, for a student of Shakespeare, the whole place is an endless resource. I have also enjoyed various community groups like Shakespeare for Everyone at the Stratford Library. And having access to many talented people at the RSC has been a huge boost to all of us in the programme, allowing us to see the workings of a professional theatre of that incredible calibre from the inside and getting to pick their brains. I’ve also been to every show in the season since I’ve been here. Such fun!