I had a great time taking Sarah’s workshop! It opened me up as a performer and collaborator. I really valued her feedback, and left feeling more confident in my instincts and excited to make new work.
The Embodying Shakespeare Workshop
Pig Iron Theatre Studios
Philadelphia PA, United States
Description
The Embodying Shakespeare Workshop trains performers to vitalize Shakespeare’s text through physical play. Led by seasoned practitioners and teachers Sarah Sanford and Michael Amendola, participants will explore approaches drawn from influential physical theatre teacher Jacques Lecoq to rediscover Shakespeare’s imagery and rhythms through their own bodies.
There are many synergies between the work of Shakespeare and Lecoq. Both are inspired by the natural world and historic theatrical traditions, embodying precise poetic dynamics within these realms to reveal human nature. Both believed in the power of imagery and metaphor, to heighten creative expression beyond a psychological study. Shakespeare’s words personify colors, elements, animals, and materials, and Lecoq’s work embodies them.
Applying principles and exercises from Jacques Lecoq, participants will:
Discover the body of Shakespeare through rhythm, sound, breath, impulse, and imagery
Awaken psychophysical states by playing with the unique dynamics of the natural world
Embody a variety of characters through different physical engines
Invoke their own curiosity and embrace what it is "to be," over what it is "to know"
Depart this 3-day journey with a short Shakespeare monologue and character that has been explored in a variety of ways
Logistics
Dates
November 6-8, 2026. Friday 6-9pm | Saturday 12-5pm | Sunday 12-5pm
Location
Pig Iron Studios
1417 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Tuition
$275 *Two scholarships are available at the reduced tuition of $200
How to Apply
Fill out this short Application Form between September 13 - October 16th, 2026.
Applicants will receive notice of admission by October 23 at the latest.
Once accepted, payment of $275 is due in full by October 30th. Accepted participants will receive a code in their confirmation email for payment via Humanitix.
Two scholarship spots are available at a reduced tuition of $200 for select participants experiencing financial need. If interested, please fill out Section 3 of the application (linked above).
Note: There will NOT be a purchase option available on Humanitix UNTIL you have received an access code from the organizers.
About the Facilitators
Sarah Sanford is core faculty in the Pig Iron/Rowan MFA in Devised Performance, where she teaches Movement Analysis, Improvisation, and Pedagogy. Sarah received her professional theatre training at École Jacques Lecoq and moved to Philadelphia where she joined Pig Iron Theatre, performing in numerous company works from 2001-2014 (including their wildly successful Twelfth Night). Other regional credits include the Arden, Wilma, Theatre Exile, Lantern, BRAT Productions, and Montgomery Theatre. Sarah also creates her own work (her solo show Love you Love you Love you premiered at the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe), and mid-wives others’ work (directing credits include Underground Railroad Game by Lightning Rod Special and The Choice by InFlux Theatre Collective). Sarah leads Pig Iron’s professional workshop “Something from Nothing,” and has taught at numerous colleges and universities including Arcadia, Temple, Swarthmore, and Villanova. Upcoming: “PDA Island,” a new solo work created and performed by Lee Ann Etzold. |
Michael "Dola" Amendola (he/they) is a performer-creator, and educator whose practice centers embodied play as both an artistic engine and a pedagogical methodology. As an actor, they have performed with many regional theatre companies including nine productions with the American Shakespeare Center, Austin Shakespeare, ZACH Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, Pig Iron Theatre Company, and completed a three-year, 600-performance run with Drunk Shakespeare Off-Broadway. Amendola holds a BFA in Acting from Texas State University, an MFA in Devised Performance from the Pig Iron School at Rowan University, has studied with the Royal Shakespeare Company and numerous clown teachers. They have taught and led workshops at Duke University, PhysFestNYC, Circadium School of Contemporary Circus, Philly Improv Theatre, Austin Shakespeare, Cannonball Festival, and is the founder of PLAY•JAM in Philadelphia. He applies a clown ethos to disorient power, cultivate curiosity, and reveal the potential of what we weren't looking for. www.michaelamendola.art IG:@playjamtime |
Testimonials
Dola's characterization workshop was the most beneficial class I've been to in years. I was able to reconnect my mind and body to acting. I have immediate lessons to bring back to my students.
Sarah is a remarkable teacher. The environment she curated in the room allowed me to be vulnerable and step way outside my comfort zone while still having fun and really connecting with my classmates.
Dola is a brilliant firecracker's worth of expression and depth. His style of teaching gives me courage and curiosity and freedom to explore and learn. I loved this class!!!
Sarah expertly guides students to uncover all of their possibilities as performers and creators. I am forever grateful to have trained with Sarah, and count her as one of my most inspiring teachers.
Dola created a comfortable, challenging, and exciting environment to explore the world of clown. Pushing one’s own artistic boundaries was dubiously easy and incredibly fun with Dola as a guide.
Rarely do you find a teacher capable of juggling technique with play, but Sarah is able to keep all of these balls in the air & then some.
Gallery
FAQs
- I am coming from out of the city. Do you have housing available?
Unfortunately we do not offer housing however we are happy to reach out to our Philly artist communities on your behalf if you would like to provide your contact information.
- Do I have to be super athletic to participate in this movement-based workshop?
No, but a zest or curiosity about embodied work is crucial! We will be MOVING each day of the workshop but you don’t have to be an expert dancer/acrobat/body builder in order to walk into our studio and move your body in order to make discoveries. If you have a physical issue you think might get in the way of you fully encountering this work, please let us know and we can help you make an informed decision as to whether this is the right workshop for you.
- What kind of experience do I need to have to participate in this? Is this just for actors?
This workshop is for actors, directors, writers, movement artists, teachers, theatre-curious folks, who are curious about mashing up Shakespeare’s text with physical play, abandon, and precision.
- Do I need to have done Shakespeare before, to do this workshop?
Nope.
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Pig Iron Theatre Studios
Philadelphia PA, United States
Hosted by The Embodying Shakespeare Workshop