BRIT Past Productions
When the founding artistic directors, Hinks and Elaine Shimberg, Lisel and John Gale
and Denis Calandra first discussed the idea of the British International Theatre (BRIT) Program, little did they anticipate the success it would become. With the financial assistance
of Hinks and Elaine Shimberg, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Dan Doyle and the State of Florida
Matching Grant Program, the BRIT Program has now become an established annual event.
For years the British International Theatre Program has sought out professional directors
and choreographers, leading actors in theatre, television and film, voice and speech
experts and top rate designers. These artists have brought their knowledge and experience
in British classical theatre and contemporary cutting-edge theatre to the students
at the ßÙßÇÂþ» in the form of hands-on masterclasses and workshops.
From William Shakespeare to Howard Barker, ßÙßÇÂþ» students are immersed in the best that
British theatre offers.
A passion for teaching and artistic excellence are the driving forces behind the BRIT
Program. Since 1991, ßÙßÇÂþ» School of Theatre & Dance has been carefully designing an
undergraduate curriculum which integrates guest artists' skills into the everyday
activity of each spring semester. At 25 years of age, the film and theatre director
Sam Mendes was our youngest teacher; at 90, dramatist Christopher Fry our eldest.
As this suggests, British classical theatre is a living force, spanning generations
and styles. We are privileged to have our students partake of the classical and contemporary
training, and we are eager to work with our British cousins on the continuing development
of this marvelous tradition.
Now under the leadership of Director Marc Powers and Associate Director Matthew Gale, the BRIT Program strives to bring the best of both classical and contemporary approaches of the British theatre to the students in the ßÙßÇÂþ» School of Theatre & Dance and to audiences in Tampa.