Schvey-Spottiswoode Shakespeare's Globe Program
"All the world’s a stage..."
Washington University’s Summer Program at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a two-week, dynamic study abroad experience in the heart of London’s vibrant South Bank. Students will learn from the renowned artists and scholars at the Globe and work with WashU faculty to gain first-hand insight into the historical contexts, theatrical venues, and performance practices of Shakespeare’s plays.
Students will have the opportunity to see four plays performed at the Globe Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. They will also enjoy guided tours of early modern performance venues such as Middle Temple and the magnificent Hampton Court Palace; see tributes to Shakespeare at Westminster Abey and Southwark Cathedral; and visit several museums including the Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery.
Centered in London, the course includes a weekend excursion to Stratford-upon-Avon, where students will visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, his family home, his wife Anne Hathaway’s cottage, and his tomb at Holy Trinity Church.
This unforgettable experience will allow students to both deepen their understanding of the cultural, historical, and performance practices that informed Shakespeare’s creative process and advance their knowledge of their theater arts by envisioning past and future productions of his work.
Program Highlights
- Classes on Shakespeare’s text and theater taught by the world-renowned artists and scholars of the Globe Theatre
- Plays at the Globe Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company
- Excursion to Stratford-upon-Avon, visiting historical sites associated with Shakespeare's life
- Visits to some of London’s most famous and important sites, including palaces, cathedrals, and museums
Program Costs
Cost estimate: $3,500. This cost includes: WashU tuition for 2-credit course, accommodations (13 total nights) in London and Stratford, Globe Theatre classes, group excursion activities, tickets to 4 productions at the Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company, transportation to/from Stratford and to some London events, and GeoBlue travel insurance (required by WashU). This estimate does not include airfare, lunch and dinner meals, personal expenses including sightseeing, tickets to shows beyond the four included productions, souvenirs, passport (if you don’t have one) and UK ETA fee.
Financial Aid and Study Abroad
Students may apply for financial aid when applying to the program itself. The aid qualification that applies to the academic year remains, but at a different scale for summer programs. If additional funding is needed to make summer study abroad possible, we encourage students to explore both Washington University and external Scholarship Opportunities and discuss with Student Financial Services whether additional loans are available. The Performing Arts Department does not control decisions about aid.
The 2026 application process is now open.
Submit your application by February 2, 2026.
