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WHAT TO EXPECT:AUDITION DATES:
Monday, October 27th, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Tuesday, October 28th, 6:30pm-9:30pm
*Callbacks will take place on October 29th at 6:30pm if needed*
If you are unable to attend the auditions at the dates and times listed above, please email the director to request another time no later than Friday, October 24th.
email: [email protected]
PRODUCTION DATES
Rehearsals: November 3, 2025- January 15, 2026
Tech Week: January 11-15, 2026 (MUST BE AVAILABLE)
Performances: January 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and February 1, 2026
(Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30pm, Sunday shows at 2pm)
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Camden Jewell
Assistant Director: Shadoe Valentin
Stage Manager: Lilly Glass
A tentative rehearsal schedule will be on display at auditions.
● Typical rehearsal schedule will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:30pm-9:00pm. Some Saturday afternoon rehearsals will be held 2:00pm-5:00pm and Friday rehearsals MAY be scheduled with ample notice.
● Additional rehearsals may be called if needed. This will be communicated with cast members in advance to confirm availability and scheduling.
● All conflicts must be presented during your auditions. We understand conflicts arise, unexpectedly, but we ask that cast members try to avoid adding conflicts and give priority to rehearsals as they are able.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
-You must be age 16+ to audition.
-If you have a resume and headshot please bring it to auditions with you
- All casting notifications will be communicated through email.
No monologue is required.
Auditions will be done in the style of cold reads. Sides will be provided at auditions.
While not a musical, Shakespeare in Love does feature musical elements as well as 2 dancing numbers in the style of 1500s Ballroom dancing. There will not be choreography at the auditions but performers please be aware of dancing in the production.
Music- Shakespeare in Love is a play with music which means most scene are accompanied by an underscore and throughout the show musicians and chorus members who provide vocals. Our music director will hold a vocal range hearing during the audition to help with placement. No music is required to prepare.
Musicians wanted- The show features 2 Actor Musicians, people who can be on stage and play an instrument/sing during several key scenes. If you can play an instrument (preferably a guitar type instrument) please inform us.
STAGED INTIMACY- This production involves staged intimacy, which will be carefully choreographed with respect to performer comfort and boundaries. An intimacy coordinator will ensure a safe and respectful environment. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the production team prior to auditions.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block. The deadline for his new play is fast approaching, but he's in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse... the feisty, brilliant and beautiful Viola. This crafty young woman is Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms, inspiring him to write his greatest romantic masterpiece.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Below are only the major roles for auditions. Several Ensemble roles are available and will be cast as needed.
WILL SHAKESPEARE
Male, Mid 30's - Poet and Playwright.
Will’s marriage has grown cold and his creative endeavors colder. Will is a romantic dreamer who is in search of his next muse to inspire him. He is also severely in debt and constantly making promises to complete plays that he never does. He is constantly battling with the need to make a living while also preserving his art. He is quick witted, sharp tongued, and the ever seeking bachelor.
VIOLA DE LESSEPS
Female, 20-30s- A maiden of the court and daughter of Sir Robert De Lesseps.
Viola adores the theatre and has dreams to be an actor, but is unable due to the laws around women in theatre. She is also limited by being a lady of the court. Despite only seeing plays whenever the Queen requests a performance, she has taken to heart and memory the poems of Shakespeare. To follow her dreams she disguises herself as Thomas Kent and finally meets the playwright she adores.
NURSE
Female, 40s-60s- Servant to Viola
The Nurse acts as Viola's mother and servant. She is kind and always ready to defend Viola or help with her schemes. She is naturally a nervous woman and one often used for laughs. She serves as the inspiration for the Nurse in Romeo & Juliet.
KIT MARLOWE
MALE, Mid 30s - Colleague, Friend, and Inspiration
Kit is the close friend to Will and also his creative rival. Known for his work Faustus, Kit’s career seems to be in much better standings than Will’s. Despite their career differences, Kit and Will remain friends and Kit is often the one to inspire the words Will writes, as well as helping Will in his love affairs.
FENNYMAN-
Male, 30s-50s- The Money Man
All theatres need backers and Fennyman is that man. Despite his brutish attitude and appearance, Fennyman is a lover of the arts, and secretly desires the stage. Outwardly he is harsh and willing to threaten the cast and crew to get every last penny owed him.
HENSLOWE
Male, 30s-50s- Owner and manager of the Rose Theatre.
Henslowe is the nervous and deeply indebted theatre owner who is banking on Shakespeare’s next big hit to be the thing that saves his skin as he owes a great sum of money to Fennyman. He is always on edge and constantly at the end of a knife.
RICHARD BURBAGE
Male, 30s-50s- Lead actor of the Chamberlain’s Men
A staunch and renowned actor who was also promised to have access to Shakespeare’s next greatest play. After Will tricked Burbage and gave the play to Henslowe, Burbage vows revenge and plans to steal the play.
QUEEN ELIZABETH I
Female, 40s-60s- The Queen.
The Queen is the ruling royal authority of England. She is witty and fond of good humor. She is a lover of the arts, particularly the theatrics, as long as it is happy and features a dog. She is proper, staunch, but humorous and full of surprises.
EDMUND TINLEY
Male, 40s-60s- The Lord Chamberlain
An uptight Lord and servant of the Queen. He acts as the enforcer of the law. It is under his authority that he determines whether a play or a theatre is suitable for the public and has the power to close theatres at any hint of “licentiousness”. He is high strung and quick to anger.
LORD WESSEX
Male, 40s-60s- The Lord betrothed to Viola
Lord Wessex is a vain, money hungry man who has made a deal with Viola’s father to marry her in exchange for some land and money in Virginia. He lusts after Viola but ultimately sees her as his ticket to higher status. He is very jealous of her affections for the “playwright”
NED ALLEYN
Male, 30s-50s- lead actor of the Admiral’s Men, plays Mercutio
Ned is the boisterous and grandiose actor, renowned all around the London theatre community for his larger than life personality. He constantly walks around with an air of suave and charm but also superiority.
Actor Musicians
We are in need of 1-2 actors who also have the ability to play instruments. Preferably stringed instruments such as the guitar. These actors will still have the ability to play certain characters and have lines but they will be in charge of leading the music, live on stage when the script calls for it. If you have the ability to play an instrument please list below as well as the type of instrument
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