Auditions
The Book of Will
by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Amanda Hallman
Curtis Theatre
Presented in Association with Begins and Ends with ‘A’ Productions
The Book of Will invites you to discover the captivating, true story of how Shakespeare's enduring legacy was saved.
Follow the courageous journey of The Bard's closest friends as they embark on a daring mission to preserve his extraordinary works, facing incredible odds to publish the First Folio. This witty and heartwarming production celebrates the enduring magic of theatre, the power of friendship, the women behind the men, and the remarkable story of how Shakespeare's masterpieces came to be -- ensuring his timeless works could resonate with artists and audiences worldwide for centuries.
Auditions
Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Callbacks by Invitation Only – Thursday, April 2
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Curtis Theatre
1 Civic Center Cir
Brea, CA 92821
www.CurtisTheatre.com
Rehearsals
April 13 – June 11, 2026
Exact times TBD, Approximately 16 hours per week
(excluding tech week)
Not all actors will be called for all rehearsals.
Tech and Dress Week
June 8 - 11, 2026, Evenings TBD
Performances
Friday, June 12, 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 14, 3:00 pm
Friday, June 19, 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 20, 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 21, 3:00 pm
Actors cast in the production will be financially compensated.
What to Prepare for Auditions
- Click here to sign up for an audition time slot.
- Fill out and submit this Audition Form.
Please prepare a 1-2 minute contemporary monologue. It can be either comedic or dramatic – whatever you think highlights you best. (If you do not have a monologue prepared, please select a favorite excerpt from a play and familiarize yourself with it. It does not need to be memorized. Just have fun with it! We will also have sides available for cold readings.)
Callbacks will be by invitation only and you will be asked to read sides from the script and perform with other actors.
NOTE – You may be measured for costumes, including shoes and wigs, at callbacks.
Walk-ins welcome, however priority timing will be given to those with appointments.Walk-ins will be seen as time is available.
This is a non-equity production.
As Shakespeare is for everyone, we highly encourage and invite actors of all races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, sizes, or ages (18 and older) to audition.
Please email BeginsandEndswithA@gmail.com if you have any questions.
About Begins and Ends with 'A' Productions:
Founded in 2022 by Aja Bell and Amanda Hallman, Begins and Ends with ‘A’ creates theatre that tells meaningful stories of art, equity, feminism, and humanity. Begins and Ends with A is committed to creating a collaborative, consent-based rehearsal and performance process that appreciates and respects all involved.
Character Breakdown:
HENRY CONDELL - male-presenting, 30’s – 40’s; feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King’s Men. Actor will kiss and have moments of light intimacy with actor playing Elizabeth Condell.*
JOHN HEMINGES – male-presenting, 40’s – 50’s; reasonable friend and financial manager of the King’s Men; owner of the Globe Tap House; a good man, a gentleman, if serious. Actor will kiss and have moments of light intimacy with actor playing Rebecca Heminges.*
ALICE HEMINGES – female-presenting, 20’s – 30’s; John’s daughter and alewife, knows everyone and hangs with the boys and dominates.
REBECCA HEMINGES – Already cast.
ELIZABETH CONDELL – female-presenting, 30’s – 40’s; Henry’s wife, savvy and fun. Actor will kiss and have moments of light intimacy with actor playing Henry Condell.*
ISSAC JAGGARD – male-presenting, 20’s – 30’s; William’s son, will inherit the business, sensitive, kind, an artist at heart, loves Shakespeare. Will also play Ed Knight – “Stage Manager” for the King’s Men, self-serious and particular.
BEN JOHNSON – male-presenting; Poet laureate of England, friend / rival of Shakespeare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy. Will also play Horatio of Hamlet.
RICHARD BURBAGE – Already cast.
EMILIA BASSANO LANIER – female-presenting, 40’s – 50’s; fiery Italian feminist and poet, independent woman, lover of life (and Shakespeare). Also plays Anne Hathaway – Shakespeare’s now ailing wife. Strong-willed, a classy lady, a survivor.
SUSANNA SHAKESPEARE – female-presenting, 20’s – 30’s; a good girl and daughter of Shakespeare. Also plays Marcellus of Hamlet, and Fruit Seller.
RALPH CRANE – humble scrivener of the King’s Men. Quick, sure, quiet, smart. Also plays Compositor, Francisco of Hamlet, and Barman.
WILLIAM JAGGARD – male-presenting, 50’s +++; 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 a job done. An ass. Also plays Sir Edward Dering, and Barman 2.
BOY HAMLET – male-presenting; a young (bad) actor. Also plays Marcus – a printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy but honest; and Crier – a newsboy, and Bernardo of Hamlet.