The Goal of this Work

Unfortunately, few directors or scholars have the time or inclination to undertake such extensive research. And even should they discover Arbeau's Orchesography or the more elaborate (and confusing) Italian dance manuals, it is quite difficult to learn how to dance from a book. This paper's goal, therefore, will be to provide an informational guide and instruction manual both for those studying the plays of Shakespeare on the page and for those directing his plays on the stage. Through historical background on Renaissance court dance, basic explanations of the steps and dances, and detailed information on available resources, this paper will provide a guide for further exploration of Shakespearean dance by scholars and performers alike. In addition, I include the text of The Bard's Galliard… or how to party like an Elizabethan, an original show featuring dance and Shakespeare, together with an analysis of the production process. In doing so, I hope to address specific examples of the problems encountered in transporting dances from the manual to the stage.