Reed in England

Program Description

London Stages, Past and Present invites students on a two-week experience to study theatre in London. The course is an encounter between the theatre of Shakespeare’s London and contemporary theatre. The first week features work with the material culture of early modern England–such as artworks, printed texts, and architecture, as well as reconstructed spaces such as Shakespeare’s Globe–with the goal of enriching our understanding of early modern London, early theatre practices, and the interpretation of early modern plays in theatre productions today. The second week features contemporary London and theatre productions at institutions such as the National Theatre and Royal Court Theatre, as well as conversations with UK scholars about future directions for theatrical performance on a global stage. The course as a whole seeks to identify continuities in London as a site of theatre making, and to posit new horizons for London’s theatre scene.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand differences between early modern and contemporary theatrical production (playwriting, direction, production tools and practices, acting methods).
• Describe and analyze live performances of theatrical works in oral and written arguments (focus on rich description, vocabulary development, study of current theatre scholarship, and writing).
• Compare early modern and contemporary significance of theatrical works in the context of London’s global, urban society (using oral and written skills).
• Utilize historical and cultural contexts to assess specific performances of theatrical works (embodied experiences, site visits, written reflection).

Application Form

Fees and Requirements

Reed in England has a $7,350 program fee that must be paid in full by January 8, 2027.

The program fee includes the following:

• Accommodation in London
• Online pre-departure orientation and onsite orienation
• 6 performances in London, including at the Globe Theater, Royal Court Theater, Wanamaker Playhouse, and the National Theatre (subject to availability)
• Local transportation
• Local excursions, including the Hampton Court Palace, the Tate Modern, and the Victoria & Albert Museum (subject to availability)
• Day trip to Stratford (Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Birthplace)
• Per diem for food
• International health and travel insurance
• Study abroad administrative fee 

The program fee does not include:

• Personal spending money
• New passport fee ($165)
• COVID-19 testing related to travel, if applicable (entry or exit requirements) 
• International flights and airport transportation

Program participants who currently receive need-based Reed grant funding and have accepted all components of their aid packages may be eligible for financial assistance. 

Health, Safety, and Travel Documentation

• Travel Documentation: Passports should be valid for at least six months after you return home and have two or more blank pages, depending on your destination
• International health and travel insurance (included in program fees)
• New Immigration Requirements for the UK:
  All visitors who do not need a visa, except British and Irish citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – a digital permission to travel to the UK. Students can apply for an ETA through a quick and simple process using the UK ETA app. An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. ETA applies to: visits of up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control, as well as other times. For more information visit the UK government website’s section on ETA.

Photo credit: Andy Hay (licensed under CC BY 2.0)