The Flachmann Seminar

Seminars this season will be taught by Dr. Susan Willis, dramaturg of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Dr. Willis was an observer at the BBC while it produced The BBC Shakespeare Plays: Making the Televised Canon. Since 1985, she has been the resident dramaturg and a director at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and hosts the adult education series “Theatre in the Mind”. She has also worked with its play program, The Southern Writers Project and is a member of the faculty of Auburn University.

“Southwest Shakespeare’s Flachmann Seminars with Dr. Susan Willis are as interesting and informative as the lectures and workshops on Shakespeare I’ve attended at London’s Globe Theater, the British National Archives, and the 2016 World Shakespeare Congress in Stratford and London. Susan’s knowledge and humor make Shakespeare’s plays more interesting and accessible for novices as well as devotees. After teaching Arizona students for many years, I am thrilled that students, teachers, and Shakespeare lovers of all descriptions have the opportunity to attend a Seminar of this quality in our home state. We are indeed fortunate to have the Southwest Shakespeare Company in the Valley of the Sun” – Kathy Phares Farris

Hamlet – Saturday November 20, 2021 @ 2:00 PM

Followed by a performance of Hamlet at Taliesin West at 7:30pm

The Tempest – Saturday March 5, 2022 @ 9:00 AM

Followed by a performance of The Tempest at The Mesa Arts Center at 7:30pm

Buy Seminar Tickets

To purchase tickets to the Flachmann Seminars, please click on the link above or contact the Mesa Arts Center Box Office and reserve your seats today. 480-644-6500

Attending a Seminar

“I’ve found the Flachmann Seminars to be revelatory! Each one I’ve attended has added an uplifting, behind-the-scenes dimension to the play; my entire theater experience is enhanced. I benefit from the erudition of the dramaturge, Susan Willis, whose encyclopedic knowledge of Shakespeare takes my breath away, and from fellow participants who often pose questions that can become key points of interest for me.” – Felicity Wilson

Delving deeper into the Bard’s works gives one a greater understanding of the play. The seminars also give you a sneak peek behind the scenes as you will meet the designers, mingle with the actors, possible tour of the set and stage and have a special talk back with the actors.

Seminars are from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM (With breaks throughout)

The location for the 2021/2022 Season Seminars will be virtual until further notice. Please contact info@swshakespeare.org for more information or help purchasing your ticket.

Bard Club Members

Admission to the seminars is included in Bard Card memberships.

Season Subscribers

Admission is not included in your season subscription, however you can purchase a seat to the seminar for a discounted rate by clicking the button above. You may also purchase your lunch at that time.

Educators and Students

Because SSC understands the value of bringing Shakespeare alive to students and has the desire to assist teachers with simplifying this task, we encourage all  teachers to attend SSC Flachmann Seminars. The seminars offer learning techniques teachers can take  directly back to their classrooms.  Attendees will receive expert knowledge of the production and most districts accept this as 10 re-certification credits. Educators will receive a certificate upon completion of the day. Please check with your district to receive professional development credit.