| 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. |
| Director: | Chris Berthelot |
| Presented by: | Allen Contemporary Theatre |
| Audition Start: | June 6th - 2-5PM |
| Audition End: | June 7th - 2-5PM |
| Audition Details: | 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 Location: | Allen Contemporary Theatre, 1210 E Main St #300, Allen, TX 75002 |
| Callback Dates: | Callbacks, if needed, will be June 8 time and place TBD |
| Rehearsal Dates: | Sunday-Thursday beginning August 26th |
| Performance Dates: | Friday-Sunday, Oct 2nd-Oct 18th |
| To Sign Up: | Sign Up to Audition |
| Requirements: | |
| 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. |
| Compensation: | |
| Originally Posted: | 2026-05-13 |