
The following is the text work session taken from the full episode with Elizabeth.
In today’s episode, Elizabeth shares her approach to working on Shakespeare, which includes:
- what the number of syllables can tell you
- the thought igniter exercise
- the first question to ask, and more
Plus we chat about the difference in performing a monologue in an audition vs a show.
If you want to follow along, the speech is in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act 2, scene 1, around line 45: Is this a dagger which I see before me… (full text at the very bottom).
This is a great session because you hear not only how Elizabeth works as an actress but also as a teacher and audition coach. It is always amazing to hear how many opportunities and ideas come literally from the words, text, and rhythm itself.
About the guests

Elizabeth Dennehy has been acting for 30+ years, across theatre, tv, and film. She has worked with the Antaeus Theatre Company, Independent Shakespeare Co, South Coast Rep, San Diego Rep and at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Co with Tina Packer and Kristin Linklater, The New York Shakespeare Festival with Kevin Kline, the Kennedy Center, The McCarter Theatre, and is an original creator and cast member of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding.
She has over 50 film/tv credits including Hancock, Gattaca, Masters of Sex, The Mentalist, Charmed, Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, and Star Trek the Next Generation. She has also worked as a dialogue coach on tv shows The Middle, the Goldbergs and Carol’s Second Act. Elizabeth enjoys collaborating with actors to create exciting auditions and has been an audition coach for years.
She is a graduate of Hofstra University, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and completed the Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance program at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Elizabeth is married to actor James Lancaster; their sons Jack is an actor and William is currently a film student.
Please enjoy the text work with Elizabeth Dennehy!
Total Running Time: 15:32
- Stream by clicking here.
- Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as/save link as”.
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Want to hear more from Elizabeth? Check out my full talk with them here!
What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let us know in the comments.
Show Notes
Elizabeth Dennehy around the web
Twitter | Instagram | LACHSA | Wikipedia | Film/TV | Off-Broadway | Additional Theatre | Cameo (personal message)
Highlights
- Working on a speech from Shakespeare’s Macbeth
- How the syllables in a line can inform the actor
- What she looks at and what questions she asks
- The thought igniter exercise
- Differences between monologues in auditions vs. shows
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