top of page

AUDITION NOTICE: "The Book of Will" by Growl Theatre

Audition Date & Time:

  • Date: Saturday, June 9, 2024

  • Time: 1:00pm

  • Venue: Windsor School of Arts, 381 Lutwyche Rd, Windsor

Callbacks:

  • Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024

  • Time: 6:00pm


Production Details:

  • Title: The Book of Will

  • Playwright: Lauren Gunderson

  • Directed by: Julie Bray

  • Produced by: Jason Sharland

  • Venue: Windsor School of Arts Hall, 381 Lutwyche Rd, Windsor, QLD 4030

  • Performance Dates: October 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, November 1, 2, 3, 8, 9


Rehearsal Schedule, starting July 29, 2024

  • Sunday afternoons, 1:30-4:30pm

  • Mondays & Thursdays evenings, 6:30-9:30pm


Character Descriptions & Ages:

  • Henry Condell (40s): Feisty, hopeful, charismatic, and confident. A close friend of Shakespeare and an actor in the King’s Men.

  • John Heminges (50): Serious and reasonable, also a friend of Shakespeare and the financial manager of the King’s Men. He owns the Globe Tap House.

  • Note: This role has been precast.

  • Richard Burbage (50s): A seasoned and renowned stage actor, loud, proud, and famous across England.

  • Elizabeth Condell (30s): Savvy, fun, and intelligent. Henry Condell's wife and a good friend.

  • Alice Heminges (32): John Heminges' daughter and an alewife. She is sociable, knows everyone, and enjoys hanging out with men.

  • Rebecca Heminges (50): John Heminges' wife, strong, and busy managing their grocery business. She loves her family deeply.

  • Ben Jonson (47): Poet laureate of England, friend, and sometimes rival of Shakespeare. He is comically pompous, playfully arrogant, and surprisingly emotional.

  • Ed Knight (30s): Acts as the "stage manager" for the King’s Men. Serious and particular about his work.

  • Ralph Crane (30): Humble scrivener for the King’s Men. He is quiet, introverted, but confident in his work.

  • William Jaggard (51): A successful yet shady publisher of books, plays, and playbills. Confident, experienced, and willing to do what it takes to succeed.

  • Isaac Jaggard (24): William Jaggard's son and heir to the business. Sensitive and artistic at heart.

  • Marcus (20): Printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop. Nosy but honest.

  • Compositor (20): Works for Jaggard, arranging type for printing.

  • Emilia Bassano Lanier (50): A fiery Italian feminist and poet, known for her independent spirit and love for Shakespeare.

  • Sir Edward Dering (60): A book and theatre enthusiast.

  • Anne Hathaway Shakespeare (60): Shakespeare's ailing wife, strong-willed and classy.

  • Susannah Shakespeare (30): Daughter of Shakespeare, serious and well-behaved.

  • Boy Hamlet:  A young actor.

  • Two Barmen: Drunk ruffians.

  • Crier: A newsboy.

  • Fruit Seller: Seen in the streets/marketplace scenes.

  • Bernardo, Francisco, Horatio, Marcellus: Various minor characters integral to the storytelling.


How to Audition:

  1. Download the Audition pack PDF for character descriptions and rehearsal schedule.

  2. Fill out the Audition registration form.

  3. Prepare two audition pieces: one comedy and one Shakespearean excerpt (1-2 minutes each).

  4. Email headshot and acting CV to production@growltheatre.org.au.


Important Notes:

  • Age guidelines are for playing age, not actor's actual age.

  • Neutral accents required for all characters.

  • Diversity in casting encouraged.

  • Familiarity with the First Folio publication story advantageous.

  • Understudies may be selected from the main cast.


Synopsis of The Book of Will: The play explores the efforts of Shakespeare's friends to compile his works into the First Folio after his death, set amidst the lively backdrop of Elizabethan London.


For detailed information and to register for auditions, visit Growl Theatre's website and access the Audition pack and Audition registration form.

Join us in bringing this historic tale to life on stage!



Comments


bottom of page