AUDITION NOTICE – The Book of Will, June 10, 2023

Ottawa Little Theatre presents

The Book of Will
A Historical Comedy Drama
Written by: Lauren Gunderson

Directed by: Geoff White

Production Dates:
September 20 – October 7, 2023 at 7:30 pm (Wednesday – Saturday) and matinees on September 24 & October 1 at 2:30 pm (Sunday)
All actors must be available for all performances.

Open Call Audition:
Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out your audition card – onstage readings will commence at 1:00pm sharp.

Audition Location:
Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use 235 Besserer Street entrance.)

Synopsis: 
First produced in 2018, The Book of Will tells the story of the compilation of most of Shakespeare’s plays in a single volume, The First Folio. This was an inspired project undertaken by Shakespeare’s friends in the years following the playwright’s death in 1616. An historical comedy, the play portrays the families of John Hemings and Henry Condell, the two actors who led the work, and their relationships with the renowned actor Richard Burbage, Shakespeare’s rival Ben Jonson, and the publishers William and Isaac Jaggard. The play opens a window on a remarkable historical chapter when Shakespeare’s work was saved for future generations.

Roles: 
HENRY CONDELL – 40; feisty, hopeful, friend and actor in the King’s Men.

JOHN HEMINGES – 50; 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 – 50s; seasoned lion of the stage, famous across England, loud and proud.

ALICE HEMINGES – 35, John’s daughter and alewife, knows everyone and hangs with the boys.

BOY HAMLET – Young actor.

BARMAN – Ruffian.

BARMAN 2 – Drunk.

BEN JONSON – Poet laureate of England, friend/rival of Shakespeare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy.

ELIZABETH CONDELL – Henry’s wife, savvy and fun.

REBECCA HEMINGES – 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.

ED KNIGHT – “Stage manager” for the King’s Men, self-serious and particular.

RALPH CRANE – Humble scrivener of the King’s Men. Quick, sure, quiet. 

WILLIAM JAGGARD – 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 – William’s son, will inherit the business. Sensitive, an artist at heart.

MARCUS – 20; printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy but honest.

COMPOSITOR – Works for Jaggard, young.

EMILIA BASSANO LANIER – 50, fiery Italian feminist and poet, independent woman, lover of life (and of Shakespeare).

ANNE HATHAWAY SHAKESPEARE – 60; Shakespeare’s now ailing wife. Strong-willed, a classy lady, a survivor. 

SUSANNAH SHAKESPEARE – 30; good girl an daughter of Shakespeare.

CRIER – Newsboy.

BERNARDO, FRANCISCO – Actors playing those roles.

SIR EDWARD DERING – 60; book and theatre lover.

HORATIO

FRUIT SELLER

MARCELLUS

Sides:
Click the links below for a preview of the sides that will be available at the audition.

Side 1  – Boy Hamlet
Side 2 – Richard Burbage, Boy Hamlet, Barmen 1 & 2, John Hemings, Alice Hemings
Side 3 – Ed Knight, Ralph Crane, Hendry Condell, John Hemings
Side 4 – Rebecca Hemings, John Hemings, Alice Hemings
Side 5 – Bernardo, Francisco only
Side 6 – John Hemings, Henry Condell
Side 7 – Ralph Crane, Isaac Jaggard, Henry Condell, Elizabeth Condell, Alice Hemings
Side 8 – Emilia Bassano Lanier, Henry Condell only
Side 9 – Marcus, Compositor, Isaac Jaggard, William Jaggard
Side 10 – Jen Jonson, Alice Hemings, Henry Condell, John Hemings
Side 11 – Anne Hathaway, Henry Condell, John Hemings, Susannah Shakespeare