The Book of Will AUDITIONS
The Book of Will
by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by: Chris Berthelot
Audition Dates:
- Date/Time:
- June 6th – 2-5PM
- June 7th - 2-5PM
- Callbacks, if needed, will be June 8 time and place TBD
- Location: Allen Contemporary Theatre, 1210 E Main St #300, Allen, TX 75002
Click the link to view details and sign up for your audition time! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448A9A728A2F9C07-64069052-auditions
Rehearsal Dates:
- Sunday-Thursday beginning August 26th
Tech Week:
- Sept 27th-Oct 1st - NO CONFLICTS DURING TECH WEEK ALLOWED
Performance Dates:
- Friday-Sunday, Oct 2nd-Oct 18th
Synopsis:
Without William Shakespeare, the world would lack masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet—but without Henry Condell and John Heminges, many of his plays might have been lost forever. Seven years after Shakespeare’s death, his friends and fellow actors are alarmed to see his work fading into memory after seeing a botched, pirated performance of Hamlet (“To be or not to be, there’s the point…”). Determined to preserve his legacy, they set out to compile the First Folio, facing a scheming publisher, a hard-drinking poet, and their own mortality along the way. The Book of Will, Lauren Gunderson’s love letter to theatre, tells the lively, funny, and poignant true story of friendship, loss, and the enduring power of the written word.
Roles Available:
Henry Condell (M) – 40’s; feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King’s Men
John Heminges (M) – 50’s; reasonable friend and financial manager of the King’s Men; owner of the Globe Tap House; a good man, a gentleman, if serious.
Richard Burbage (M) – 50’s; seasoned lion of the stage, famous across England, loud and proud
Alice Heminges (F) – 35; John’s daughter and alewife, knows everyone and hangs out with the boys
Ben Johnson (M) – 40-50; Poet laureate of England, friend/rival of Shakespeare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy.
Elizabeth Condell (F) – 40’s; Henry’s wife, savvy and fun.
Rebecca Heminges (F) – 50’s; John’s wife, a good wife. Strong, busy with their grocery business, a woman who has weathered much but loves her husband and sons and God.
William Jaggard (M) – 50-60; Successful if shady publisher of books, plays, and playbills. He is confident in his ability to get what he wants. Very experienced, very connected, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. An ass.
Isaac Jaggard (M) – Mid 30’s; William’s son, will inherit the business. Sensitive, an artist at heart.
Ed Knight (M) – “Stage Manager” for the King’s Men, self-serious and particular.
Ralph Crane – 30-40; Humber scrivener of the King’s Men. Quick, sure, quiet.
Marcus (M) – 20’s; printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy but honest
Emilia Bassano Lanier (F) – 50’s, fiery Italian feminist and poet, independent woman, lover of life (and of Shakespeare)
Anne Hathaway Shakespeare (F) – 60’s; Shakespeare’s now ailing wife; strong-willed , a classy lady, a survivor
Susannah Shakespeare – (F) 30’s; good girl and daughter of Shakespeare
Boy Hamlet – Young actor
Barman – Ruffian
Barman 2 – Drunk
Sir Edward Dering – 60’s; book and theatre lover
Crier – Newsboy
Compositor – Works for Jaggard, young
Francisco – Actor playing this role
Bernardo – Actor playing this role
Marcellus – Actor playing this role
Horatio – Actor playing this role
Fruit Seller
We will be doubling some of the roles.
Audition Requirements:
- Be prepared for cold readings from the script.
- Bring a headshot and resume if you have them.
- British dialect is required for most roles.
Audition Sides:
Henry – Page 60
John – Pages 59-60
Burbage – Pages 20-21
Elizabeth/Alice – Pages 22-23
Rebecca/John – Pages 56-57
Henry/Emilia – Pages 70-72
John/Ben – Pages 70-72
Jaggard/John – Pages 48-49
Jaggard/Isaac/John/Henry – Pages 68-69
The script is available from Dramatists Play Service: Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. In the comments section, please include the role(s) you are interested in.
Break a leg at your audition! We are looking forward to seeing you!
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!