Audition for The Little Theatre
READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT?
Audition for one or more of our shows this season!
We keep auditions as easy and stress-free as possible. No appointments, and everyone is welcome! All who are interested are encouraged to audition; unless otherwise noted any race or ethnicity is welcome. Our goal is for those on the stage to represent those in the community.
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At the audition you will fill out an audition form and conflict sheet when you arrive, so please bring your calendar. Your photo will be take for reference.
For plays, you'll be asked to do cold readings ("sides"); for musicals, you'll sing a song you've prepared and possibly learn a short choreography routine.
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At The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem everyone is welcome to audition and no role is cast before auditions take place.
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Questions about auditions? Email kristina@ltofws.org
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DATE CHANGE:
DECEMBER 9
AUDITIONS FOR
The Book of Will
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Lara Ianni
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AUDITION DETAILS
Auditions: Monday, January 19, from 6:00-8:00 pm
Callbacks (if needed/by invitation): Wednesday, January 21, from 6:00-8:00 pm
at The Little Theatre Center, 4015 Brownsboro Rd., Winston-Salem
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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.
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First read through will be scheduled for the week of February 2nd;
rehearsals will generally be held Tuesday-Thursday evenings from 7-10 pm and one weekend afternoon (either Saturday or Sunday 1pm-4pm).
This is subject to change depending on the cast’s availability and
the creative team’s discretion.
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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
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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 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.
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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.
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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 and 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
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Save time at the audition and fill out the form in advance. Paper copies will be available day of as well.
