The Ensemble

The MIT Shakespeare Ensemble is a self-sustaining community dedicated to a text-based approach to the exploration of Shakespearean and other classical works. We are a group of students and community members who are committed to forming an open and fun-loving community focused on learning the various aspects of theater. We share a common interest in the idea of the theater ensemble: a group of people who work together on a long-term basis to produce shows. This emphasis on the ensemble produces another dimension to our work rarely found in other theater groups at MIT. We generally perform one full-length show and one night of scenes every term.

How To Join

Interested new members of the Ensemble are invited to participate in our membership activities beyond the mainstage production, which include anything from watching film adaptations of Shakespeare to frisbee games to classes in acting, voice, movement, and Shakespeare's text, as well as in technical theater. New members are encouraged to audition for our shows, attend ensemble class and/or contact ensemble-request@mit.edu about technical opportunities for the current show (i.e. stage managing, design, production, set-building, etc.) Also, join our new member mailing list, ensemble-new, to be updated about our theater-related and social activities! Just email ensemble-request@mit.edu and we will be happy to add you to the list or answer any questions you may have.

After one term of full participation in membership activities, new members may become eligible for full membership. They are then included in the first round of auditions for every show and are guaranteed a position, either acting or technical, in every show and scene night. Everyone involved with the Ensemble is required to work in the costume and set shops for a set number of hours per week during the production period for an Ensemble show, as well as working on box office sales and continuing to attend Ensemble classes.

Text-Based Ensemble

We look to the text to get clues for both acting and technical aspects of a production. In Shakespeare’s verse, we find hints for blocking, tone of voice, lighting, costumes, props, stage combat, and everything in-between. This approach means that our cast, crew, and director work closely with each other, analyzing the text closely and working towards a cohesiveness that only a true ensemble can achieve.