June 11: Flight schedules TBD.

“O Brave New World that has such people in it!”

June 12: Meet your Discovery Expedition Tour Leader, Dori Robinson, at the airport. After a quick stretch and snack, we will drive to Runnymeade, the location of the signing of the Magna Carte. Once we arrive to Stratford-Upon-Avon, we check into our hotel and have a quick refresh before stretching our legs and orienting to downtown Stratford-upon-Avon. Dinner tonight at the Old Thatch Tavern is followed by an evening “What is Your Will” workshop, our opening activity to prepare for the week ahead.

“When I was at home, I was in a better place…”

June 13: The day begins with a tour Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (home of Shakespeare’s wife), followed by visiting Hall’s Croft (owned by Shakespeare’s daughter and her husband). We indulge at the Fourteas, a 1940’s themed tea room, for lunch. Next, we jump straight into Shakespeare’s words with a Text in Action workshop at the Shakespeare Centre, followed by taking in the beautiful Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare was baptized. Last by not least, we discover the private and public areas of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre through an interactive behind-the-scenes tour (pending availability). Dinner tonight at The Dirty Duck – the most popular spot for thespians – followed by an evening performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow…”

June 14: We load the coach, depart Stratford-upon-Avon, and head to London! After stopping at the hotel, we will meet our Blue Badge Guide who will bring all of London’s history, ceremony, and pageantry to life in a walking tour of: Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, The London Eye, The River Thames, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben. Dinner tonight in the West End will be followed by one of the fantastic theatre performances the city has to offer!

“What’s Past is Prologue”

June 15: Today is a Museum Morning, where we visit both the British Museum and the British Library to take in some of England’s most extraordinary literary treasures: from the Rosetta Stone and the Magna Carta, to handwritten Beatles lyrics. We lunch in Borough Market at London Bridge before embarking on an exclusive tour of the Royal National Theatre, preeminent theatre of the West End, followed by their physical theatre workshop. Dinner in the Southbank. This evening, visit the heart of London where Westminster, the City, and the West End meet – Trafalgar Square.

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

June 16: All aboard the Hogwarts’s Express! Today’s lesson begins with the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, including the holding room, the cinema, and the Great Hall. See the real sets, costumes and props used in the films, and go behind-the-scenes to see how they were all made! Dinner and evening return from Harry Potter World.

“You may say I’m a dreamer… but I’m not the only one.”

June 17: As we continue to explore new and old stories which originated in the UK, we add in the a and that took the world by storm and changed the face of music forever – the Beatles! We will do a walking tour of the Beatles’ London, including 3 Saville Row and the London Pavilion. After dinner tonight, we will enjoy our final performance in the UK.

“All the World’s a Stage.”

June 18: Old meets new today as we tour both the Rose Theatre as well as Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre. After lunch and time for exploration at Borough Market, we go to Theatre Deli rehearsal spaces for an exclusive workshop. Potential Partnership: Various playwrights of the London Scene, or Company Three, a vibrant company for youth ages 11-19 who collaborate with professional actors http://www.companythree.co.uk/

Dinner and activities with other young theatre students! A chance to be social with like-minded theatre artists who are as passionate about performance as you are.

This evening, a closing activity will bring all our lessons about literacy, storytelling, and adaptation together.

“Return’d so soon!”

June 19: We spend the morning either exploring the famous Victoria and Albert Museum or shopping at the retro and unique Camden Market, with thousands of shops and food from every corner of the world. We eat lunch there, then take a last look at London before transferring to the airport and returning home to California.