The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is delighted to introduce the RADA Shakespeare Certificate which provides a standard by which students can assess their level of competence in the speaking and performance of Shakespeare's language.

In developing and offering the RADA Shakespeare Certificate, our aim is to make the unique expertise of one of the world's premier drama schools accessible to a wider public.

In 2002 a pilot Certificate was undertaken in Harrogate and subsequently in Hinckley, Blackpool and Cambridge. The response was very positive and we were delighted to find that at the inaugural examinations, the vast majority of candidates not only passed, but also achieve Merit or Distinction. From these results we have been encouraged to offer the Certificate nationally.

We hope the experience of exploring Shakespeare's language through the Certificate will be a joyful and fulfilling one, providing the opportunity for candidates to discover and to develop their own creativity.

The Certificate offers a series of examinations for individuals and groups at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. It focuses solely on Shakespeare and his contemporaries and has been developed with the input and expertise of the RADA faculty, RADA tutors and experienced professionals from the theatre will evaluate the ability of candidates to speak and perform Shakespeare's language. Candidates' dramatic and oral communication will be graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction. The Certificate is for all those with an interest and a passion for speaking and exploring Shakespeare's inspirational language. It is for everyone who loves the English language and the sheer enjoyment that can be gained through the speaking or performing of it.

Taking part in the Certificate will help some to decide whether to pursue a career in the theatre, professional or otherwise. For others, it will encourage their development in public speaking and presentations skills enabling them to pursue the career of their choice where these skills could be a requirement. For everyone, it will give them valuable confidence at interviews, formal or informal discussions or debates and on any occasion when they are required to stand up and speak in front of others.

Everything we need to know about how to act Shakespeare is in the text. Too often we explore all around the texts, academic themes or concepts but miss the very acting clues that Shakespeare himself provided for his fellow actors within the texts. We must never forget that Shakespeare was an actor who knew what actors were capable of and wrote accordingly, laying as he did so the foundations of modern English.

Our mission is to encourage candidates to explore the acting clues in their speeches and to be inspired by the power and passion of that genius of the English language -
William Shakespeare.

Trust the text - it will reveal wonders!

We gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help of Jean Guy and her colleagues in Harrogate whose commitment and support has been vital in the setting up of the RADA Shakespeare Certificate Scheme.

Gregory de Polnay Director of the RADA Shakespeare Certificate Scheme.

RADA Certificates, 62/64 Gower Street, London WC1E 6ED
Tel: +44 (0)20 7636 7076 Fax: +44 (0)20 7323 3865
email: certificates@rada.ac.uk