BARD TALKS

Led by distinguished scholars from universities, libraries and institutes across the globe, BARD TALKS examine Elizabethan society, production and rehearsal, Shakespeare’s timeless themes, and classic characters.

Check out the calendar below and register to watch the live streams or check out the Bard Talks Webinar Archive to find recordings of past Shakespeare webinars to watch on-demand.

All Bard Talks live-stream, recordings and archive are FREE! But in these difficult times our programs and organization are in need of your support. Keep our virtual doors open and chip in a donation today!

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING WEBINARS

TO BE RESCHEDULED

Dr. Segal’s Bard Talk titled “‘She is [not] so idly kinged’ (2.4.27) in Henry V examines the choices used in the Commonwealth Theatre Center’s all-female production of Henry V (2018) and reveals the dramaturgically important matter of the female gender in the play’s male-dominated world.

TO BE RESCHEDULED In “Rivaling Juliets” Dr. Chelsea Phillips, Introduces four women that made a claim to the role of Juliet on the mid-18th Century London Stage. Beginning in 1744 Philips tells a lively and vivid story of the unique circumstances —real mothers, daughters and father— that brought each actress to the role, and the fascinating variety of performances they gave - star, wild girl, dutiful child, tragic wife, desperate woman- in opposition to each other.

TO BE RESCHEDULED Hailey Bachrach presents “Silence and Consent in Shakespeare's History Plays”. Shakespeare's history plays might be described as a genre where women never get what they want. Hailey Bachrach explores how and why Shakespeare does not give his ladies and princesses the chance to consent to marriage.

TO BE RESCHEDULED '“Damned, Smiling Villains: The Pleasure of Not Caring” Shakespeare’s villains run the gamut from mischievous (Puck) to monstrous (Iago.) Ultimately, the audience is left to form their own judgment of the crimes they’ve witnessed, but does the writer leave us any clues as to how he ranks his creations on a scale of wickedness?

Brian Lohmann, taking from his essay in Playing Shakespeare Villains (edited by Louis Fantasia, Peter Lang pub.) investigates three villains: Richard III, Lady Macbeth and Iago to discover who Shakespeare judges redeemable and whose "soul may be as damned and black as the hell whereto it goes.” 

SUPPORT BARD TALKS

Keep Shakespeare Center LA’s Bard Talks virtual doors open and support unique Shakespeare programs for veterans, youth and teachers.

MAKE A DEDICATION: In your donation, cote for your favorite sonnet, character, or play and dedicate it to special someone! We’ll read your dedication in the live-stream webinar!

Thank you for your generous and thoughtful gift!

webinar ARCHIVE

Want more Bard Talks? Check out the Bard Talks Webinar Archive! Find 16+ webinars on Shakespeare’s plays, Elizabethan recipes, rehearsal techniques, and more!

Frequently asked questions

How long are webinars?  Webinars are approximately one hour including an introduction and Q&A session.

When can I watch webinars? New webinars live stream at 10 AM Pacific Time on Saturdays. The Bard Talks Archive is available 24 hours a day.

What are the webinars about? Check out this page for the latest webinars titles and descriptions. To receive notifications in your email box, sign up below.  The topics of upcoming webinars will be announced at least one week before each webinar.  Lecturers are subject to change.

How much are webinars? Everything is free. The live stream, on-demand recordings, and all the webinar archives are free. Please consider chipping in to support Bard Talks and Shakespeare Center LA’s programs for veterans and youth. Dedicate your donation to your favorite play, sonnet, character or a friend in the Memo section and we’ll read it in our next webinar!

How can I watch a live-stream webinar? Each webinar must be registered for individually. Click the “Register Now” link next to each live-stream webinar you want to attend and complete each registration on Zoom. Zoom will send you email(s) with the webinar link and phone dial-in. Download Zoom to your computer or smart phone so you are ready to go on Saturday. On the day of the webinar, click on the link in your confirmation email, open Zoom, and join the webinar. If you prefer you may also call into the webinar to hear it live instead of watch it.

I can’t attend the live-stream, can I watch the webinar later? Yes, for 48 hours after the live-stream you can watch the recording of the webinar using the same Zoom link for the live-stream. After approximately 48 hours the webinar is moved to the Bard Talks Webinar Archive page (aka Member Archive).

The webinar isn’t on Zoom anymore, how can I watch it now? Go to the Webinar Archive and click on the webinar to watch it anytime.

How can I share a webinar with a friend? You can share registration links and links to the Webinar Archive with all of your friends and family. Please feel free to make a donation in their name and we’ll read your dedication in our next webinar!

How do I get into the Member Archive? The Member Archive (a.k.a. the Webinar Archive) is easier to access now! Click shakespearecenter.org/member-archive

How can I suggest a speaker for the Bard Talks? Yes, please! Submit your speaker suggestion and their contact info to webinar@shakespearecenter.org

Can I get a certificate to prove that I attended the live webinar? If you attended the live webinar at 10am Pacific and you registered in advance, you may submit a request for a Proof of Attendance certificate. Certificates cost $10 and other guidelines apply. For more information and to submit your request go to https://app.donorview.com/1yPko

Get Notified when registration is available

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proof of attendance certificate

Shakespeare Center LA's Bard Talks Webinar Program provides a Proof of Attendance certificate for viewers of each LIVE live-stream on Zoom for a $10 fee per certificate.  For more information click below.