Auditions: The Book of Will
Schedule
Mon Jan 19 2026 at 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem | Winston Salem, NC
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Please join us for auditions for THE BOOK OF WILL by Lauren Gunderson! Lara Ianni will be directing.AUDITION DETAILS
Auditions: Monday, Jan. 19, from 6:00-8:00 pm
Callbacks (if needed/by invitation): Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 6:00-8:00 pm
at The Little Theatre Center, 4015 Brownsboro Rd., Winston-Salem
Please read the character descriptions and performance schedule below. Auditions will consist of reading from sides opposite a reader. Please bring your calendar and be prepared to list all potential conflicts for the rehearsal and performance period.
First read is tentatively scheduled for the week of Jan 25th; rehearsals will generally be held Tuesday-Thursday evenings from 7-10 pm and one weekend afternoon (either Saturday or
Sunday from 1pm-4pm). This is subject to change, depending on the cast’s availability and the creative team’s discretion.
PERFORMANCES
March 20-22 & 26-29, 2026
Thursday-Saturday performances at 7:30 pm
Sunday matinees at 2 pm
All performances will be held at the Hanesbrands Theatre
209 N. Spruce Street in Winston-Salem
SHOW DESCRIPTION
The Book of Will tells the real-life story of Shakespeare's friends and collaborators, John Heminges and Henry Condell, who worked to compile and publish his plays into the First Folio
after his death, saving them from being lost forever. The play, set between 1619-1623, follows the actors as they navigate unscrupulous publishers, personal hardship, and their own mortality to gather the scripts, resulting in a humorous and poignant exploration of grief, art, friendship, and legacy.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
From the playwright: “Casting should be diverse. Shakespeare is for everyone.”
We are looking for a troupe of 10-15 actors. All genders and ethnicities are welcome. Female-presenting actors may play male roles and vice versa (as in Shakespeare’s day). Ages, when
listed, are based on the characters’ historical age in the 1620s, but may not reflect how they will be cast. Please do not let yourself be limited by “character types” - we are interested in seeing anyone and everyone who is excited by this play!
Principal and large supporting roles are listed below. Many smaller roles may be doubled by supporting actors or by expanding the cast.
Henry Condell: (40s) feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King’s Men.
John Heminges: (50s) Reasonable and serious, Shakespeare’s friend, and financial manager of the King’s Men. He is a good man, a gentleman, and owner of the Globe Tap House.
Richard Burbage: (50s) A seasoned lion of the stage, loud and proud, famous across England.
Alice Heminges: (30s) John’s daughter and alewife, knows everyone, and hangs with the boys.
Elizabeth Condell: Savvy and fun, Elizabeth is Condell’s wife.
Rebecca Heminges: John’s wife, a good wife. Strong, busy with their grocery business, a woman who has weathered much but loves her husband, sons, and God.
Ben Jonson: Poet laureate of England and friend/rival of Shakespeare, Ben is an amazing drunk, a bear of a man, and surprisingly weepy.
Ed Knight: “Stage manager” for the King’s Men, Ed is self-serious and particular.
Ralph Crane: Humble scrivener of the King’s Men, Ralph is quick, sure, and quiet.
William Jaggard: Successful, if shady, publisher of books, plays, and playbills, William is confident in his ability to get what he wants. He is 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: Printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy but honest.
Compositor: Works for Jaggard, young.
Emilia Bassano Lanier: A fiery Italian feminist and poet, Emilia is fifty years old, an independent woman, and a lover of life (and of Shakespeare).
Sir Edward Dering: (60s) A book and theatre lover, the first customer of The First Folio.
Anne Hathaway Shakespeare: (60s) Shakespeare’s now ailing wife. Strong-willed, a classy lady, a survivor.
Susannah Shakespeare: (30s) good girl and daughter of Shakespeare
Boy Hamlet: A young actor.
Two Barmen: Drunk ruffians.
Crier: A newsboy.
Bernardo, Francisco, Horatio, Marcellus: Actors playing these roles
Fruit Seller
Descriptions and information are also available on the LTWS website: https://www.ltofws.org/auditions.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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Where is it happening?
The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, 4015 Brownsboro Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106-3380, United States, Winston SalemEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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