AIFS Summer Institute at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Overview

The Fulbright Commission American Institute for Foreign Study Summer Institute at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a three-week cultural and academic programme for US students.

Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare's work and the playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of performance and education. Together, the Globe Theatre, Globe Exhibition & Tour and Globe Education seek to further the experience and international understanding of Shakespeare in performance.

This programme focuses on both acting and understanding Shakespeare texts and the students’ studies are supplemented by workshops focussing on combat and sword play, movement, dance and design. Students will also have the opportunity to watch performances at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and take part in a question and answer session with the Globe actors. 

Participants in this programme will get the opportunity to:

•    Study on-site at the Globe Theatre
•    Work with professional theatre practitioners
•    Participate in movement and voice workshops, and scene rehearsals
•    Meet people from all over the world, make friends and experience life as a real student in the UK
•    Become an ambassador for studying in the United Kingdom, and for the prestigious internationally renowned Globe Theatre.                  
•    Develop their knowledge and skills in the field of Shakespeare studies and drama, be taught by world leaders in their field and receive credit they can transfer to their US university

This institute will take place from 15 June – 6 July 2013

All academic classes and workshops will take place at the Sackler Studio Education and Rehearsal Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The Sackler Studios, which opened in 2010, include four workshop studios and a rehearsal space for students and theatre practitioners. Students will also have access to the Shakespeare’s Globe Library and Archive for reference.

This three-week intensive programme will focus on the material and cultural contexts for early modern drama and on the history and process of construction of both the original and the reconstructed Globe Theatres. The syllabus will be informed by, and respond to, the plays in repertory for the 2013 Globe Theatre season. The course seeks to demonstrate the historical and current value of Shakespeare’s plays through a practical examination of text and language, performance space, the materials of theatre practice, and the unique relationship between actors and audience at the Globe.

Benefits

The majority of the participant costs will be covered. This includes:

•    round-trip airfare from the US to the UK;
•    tuition and fees;
•    accommodation and social programme;
•    subsistence e.g. food and drink

Students taking this programme also receive AIFS insurance as part of the programme. 

Accommodation for the three weeks will be in twin-bedded dorm rooms in Kensington, sharing with another AIFS Shakespeare’s Globe participant. Shakespeare’s Globe participants also receive meal money and meal vouchers for the Shakespeare’s Globe cafeteria.

Special Programmes do not preclude participants from applying for a Fulbright Award later in their academic career. The summer institutes are intentionally designed in such a way that allows participants to come back to the UK at postgraduate or postdoctoral level as a Fulbright Student or Scholar.

Selection Criteria

To meet the minimum eligibility for this Institute you need to:

•    be a US citizen (resident anywhere except the UK) and possess a US passport;
•    be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme;
•    be able to participate in the programme in its entirety;
•    have a high level of academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (confirmed by academic marks, awards and references);
•    have at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete, i.e. applicants should currently be a Freshman or Sophomore in college/university;
•    be mature, responsible, independent, and open-minded;
•    be willing and able to fully participate in an academically intensive programme that includes attending all sessions, completing all assignments, contributing to classroom discussions and supporting student ambassador style work as required;
•    have had little or no study or travel experience in the UK or elsewhere outside of the US and;
•    expect to return to the US and continue your education.

Note: The programme is open to students in all courses of study, but are particularly suited to those with a keen interest in drama, theatre studies or English Literature
 
Those holding permanent residency ‘green cards’ may not apply.

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this award before making an application.

In making these awards the Commission is looking not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, an indication of ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Programme and a plan to give back to your home country upon returning.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applying

All applications are due March 11, 2013 by 5pm (UK Time)

To apply please download an application form

If you have a query about applying please read the FAQs document before contacting the Commission. Follow us on twitter to receive application tips throughout the application period.

Please note: Applications must arrive at the Commission by email to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline. 

References should be sent to the Commission by email  to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk and should come directly from the referee. Students should not submit references on their referees' behalf. References must be received at the Commission by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline or the application will not be considered even if the application itself has been received on time.

Please note that this email address is for applications and references only. Any general enquiries about the programme should be sent to programmes@fulbright.org.uk

Applications and references sent in by post, fax or to any email address other than UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Commission staff will not confirm receipt of individual applications or references by email or phone.

Interviews

Applications will be short-listed and successful applicants will be invited to telephone interview sometime between the dates of 15 April – 26 April 2013. Interviews will only be held these days and may not be rescheduled.

If you are making an application, please save these dates as an invitation to interview may come within a few days of the interview date. The selection committee will be comprised of Fulbright Commission staff and on occasion representatives from a relevant field, academics, US Embassy and/or Consulate representatives.

Important note: The US-UK Fulbright Commission is unable to give feedback on individual applications or to provide reasons for their refusal.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Timeline

December     Competition opens
11 March       Application deadline
Early April     Short-listed candidates invited to Interview
15-26 April    Telephone Interviews
Early May      Notification for successful applicants
May/June      Preparation and Pre-Departure Information
14 June        Departure for UK
15 June        Arrival in the UK
06 July         Return to USA

Additional Information

Programme Outline

AIFS staff will conduct an in-depth orientation meeting on the day after arrival. This is followed by a half-day guided sightseeing tour of London by private coach.

On the first day of class the staff at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre conduct an orientation meeting.

AIFS offers an optional Cultural Calendar of events including walking tours, theatre performances and daytrips to help students get the most out of their study abroad experience. Fulbright studnets will be entitled to attend all events.

The summer 2012 cultural calendar included the following events:

•    London sightseeing tour
•    Cricket match at Lords Cricket Ground
•    Daytrip to Stonehenge
•    Theatre: Wicked
•    Boat cruise along the Thames
•    Daytrip to Stratford Upon Avon

The course ends with a scene performance from the students (in 2012 these were scenes from The Taming of the Shrew) and this is followed by a farewell mixer with Institute staff.

See the full 2012 cultural and social programme here.

For more information on this year's programme please consult AIFS's website

All course content is subject to change. The information is intended to provide an initial scope of the programme and should not be considered final. Content will be updated as details are finalised by AIFS.

About the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS)

Since 1964, over 1.2 million students have travelled abroad with AIFS and with more than 40 years of experience, they have the resources and experience to provide what their students want and need in a study abroad programme, and to safeguard their welfare around the world.
AIFS offers a wide range of unique programs in Asia, Australia, Europe, South Africa and the Americas.

Support

AIFS employs a dedicated team of full-time professional Student Advisors who act as peer mentors to students on our study abroad programmes. These staff members live in the student accommodation acting as Resident Assistants and handle any maintenance / housing issues. They also deal with any questions students might have including giving travel advice, making doctor’s appointments and staffing a 24-hour emergency duty service throughout the programme. One of the AIFS Student Advisors will be appointed as the dedicated Fulbright scholar mentor for the duration of the programme.