THE BOOK OF WILL

Lakewood Theatre Company announces auditions for “The Book Of Will” directed by Jordan Ivie. Auditions will be Sunday, April 27th and Monday, April 28th at 6:30pm at 2211 Old Hickory Blvd Old Hickory, TN 37138 Please fill out an audition form on lakewoodtheatre.org.  Character descriptions are below.

Lakewood Theatre Company announces auditions for “The Book Of Will,” directed by Jordan Ivie. 

Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever! After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They’ll just have to borrow, beg, and band together to get it done. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, The Book of Will finds an unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know.

All roles are available. Some roles may be doubled. If you do not see your specific gender or age range listed here, please do not let that stop you from auditioning- casting is flexible, and there are plenty of crucial ensemble roles not listed below. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Henry Condell (M, 30s+)- Shakespeare’s former friend and actor in the King’s Men. Leads the charge to get the First Folio published. Feisty and passionate.

Elizabeth Condell (F, 30s+)- Henry’s wife and collaborator in the First Folio plan. Strong and witty.

John Heminges (M, 40s+)- Shakespeare’s former friend and manager of the King’s men; owner of the Globe Tap House. Level-headed and a bit self-conscious, but full of love for his family and passionate when roused.

Rebecca Heminges (F, 30s+)- John’s wife and collaborator in the First Folio plan. Strong, savvy, pushes her husband and daughter to be their best selves.

Alice Heminges (F, 20s-40s)- John and Rebecca’s daughter, alewife at the taphouse, and collaborator in the First Folio plan. Smart, witty, and bright, beloved by the older members of the group.

Richard Burbage (M, 40s+)- A seasoned veteran of the stage, renowned throughout Europe for his performance of Shakespeare’s most famous roles. A booming, self-assured lion of a man. The definition of “stage presence.”

Ben Jonson (M, 20s+)- Poet Laureate of England, a former friend/rival of Shakespeare’s. Both stuffy and frequently drunk. 

William Jaggard (Any gender, 40s+)- The printer of the First Folio. A greedy, bitter, acerbic, and almost entirely heartless individual.

Isaac Jaggard (M, 20s-40s)- Jaggard’s son. His father’s opposite in almost every way- handsome, honorable, and good-natured.

Ed Knight (Any gender, 20s+)- Stage Manager for the King’s Men. Fastidious and particular. 

Ralph Crane (Any gender, 20s+)- Scrivener for the King’s Men. Initially overlooked by the other members but quietly competent and clever.

Emilia Lanier (F, 20s-60s)- Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady”- wealthy, fabulous, and self-assured.

Anne Hathaway (F, 40s-60s)- Shakespeare’s widowed wife. Infirm, ambivalent about her husband’s work, but ultimately supportive of the First Folio project.

Susannah Shakespeare (F, teens-30s)- Shakespeare’s eldest daughter. Slightly bitter but nostalgic about her father’s works.

April 27th & Monday April 28th 

6:30pm to 8:30pm

Click OnThis Link To Fill Out Audition Application