Shakespeare in Love
Production Team
Director: Vern Stefanic
Stage Manager: Topher Stephens
Lighting Designer: Mallory Lindsay
Set Designer: Rich Goss
Costume Designer: Cody McCoy
About the Show
Join the Pembroke Players for an enchanting production of "Shakespeare in Love," a captivating stage adaptation that explores the complexities of love and creativity amidst life’s constraints. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Elizabethan England, this delightful tale follows the passionate journey of a young William Shakespeare as he grapples with the fervor of newfound love while facing the weight of societal expectations and personal decisions that seem already set in stone.
In this evocative production, the themes of yearning, ambition, and the transformative power of love resonate deeply, illustrating how the heart dares to pursue joy even when life has charted a different course. With a talented cast bringing to life the characters' struggles and triumphs, audiences will be swept away by the magic of Shakespeare’s words, the charm of romance, and the bittersweet reality of navigating love in a world full of obligations.
Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, passion, and exquisite storytelling that reminds us all that love can blossom at any stage in life, even when the odds seem against us. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a timeless love story that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both poignant and uplifting.
Audition Information
Performance Dates: March 6–15, 2026
Venue: Tulsa Performing Arts Center
The Pembroke Players are thrilled to announce auditions for Shakespeare in Love, based on the Academy Award–winning film and adapted for the stage by Lee Hall.
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About the Show
London, 1593. The young playwright William Shakespeare is out of money, out of ideas, and suffering from a paralyzing case of writer’s block. Everything changes when he meets Viola de Lesseps, a noblewoman who disguises herself as a man so she can pursue her passion for the stage. Their forbidden romance inspires Shakespeare to write one of his greatest works, Romeo and Juliet.
Filled with swordfights, mistaken identities, witty wordplay, and theatrical magic, Shakespeare in Love is a sweeping romantic comedy that celebrates the power of art, the thrill of new love, and the enduring magic of theatre itself.
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Audition Information
• Audition Dates: 6:30 pm, November 6 & 7, 2025
• Callbacks: November 8, 2025
• Possible Second Callbacks: November 9, 2025
Preparation: Please prepare a one-minute monologue showcasing a presence similar to your desired role(s). Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script.
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Character Descriptions
Will Shakespeare (Male, 30s–40s)
A young, passionate poet and playwright struggling with writer’s block. Charismatic, witty, and vulnerable.
Viola de Lesseps (Female, 30s–40s)
A noblewoman with a love for the theatre and a passion for poetry. Disguises herself as a man to perform. Intelligent, bold, romantic.
Queen Elizabeth I/Molly (Female, 40s+)
Queen: Sharp-witted and commanding. A regal presence with a keen eye for theatre and politics.
Molly: Tavern whore.
Lord Wessex (Male, 30s–50s)
Viola’s intended husband. Arrogant, ambitious, and entitled.
Philip Henslowe (Male, 20s–60s)
Owner and manager of the Rose Theatre. Harried but resourceful, always scheming to keep the theatre afloat.
Ned Alleyn (Male, 20s–40s)
Lead actor of the Admiral’s Men. Plays Mercutio. A celebrated actor with confidence and flair. Loyal to the theatre.
Richard Burbage (Male, 20s–60s)
Lead actor of the Chamberlain’s Men. Rival theatre owner and actor. Competitive, proud, and theatrical.
Kit Marlowe (Any gender, any age)
Playwright. Shakespeare’s friend, rival, colleague and inspiration. Charming, confident, and generous with his wit.
Tilney, Master of the Revels (Male, 40s–60s)
The Lord Chamberlain. A censor and enforcer of theatre laws. Stern, officious, and intimidating.
Nurse (Female, 40s+)
Viola’s servant and confidante. Warm, witty, and protective.
Sam (Male, late teens–20s)
A young actor who specializes in playing women on stage. Plays Juliet. Earnest and playful. Must have a high falsetto.
Wabash (Male, any age)
Henslowe’s tailor. A nervous stammerer and would-be novice actor. A comic presence.
Fennyman (Male, any age)
“The money”. A moneylender turned theatre enthusiast. Blustery but enthusiastic.
Lambert/Nol (Any gender, any age)
Lambert: Fennyman’s henchman
Nol: Youthful and energetic. Novice actor. Plays Benvolio and Samson.
Ralph/Fight Captain (Male, 40s-60s)
Ralph: A novice actor with comedic timing who plays the Nurse and Petruchio. Must be comfortable with physical comedy.
Peter (Male presenting, 20s-40s)
Actor. Plays Tybalt and Valentine. Soft romantic type.
Kate/Mistress Quickly/Dance Captain (Female, 20s-40s)
High-spirited, saucy and vibrant.
Kate: Tavern whore.
Mistress Quickly: Wardrobe mistress
Frees/Robin (Any gender, any age)
Frees: Fennyman’s henchman.
Robin: Novice actor who plays Lady Capulet. Youthful and energetic.
Adam/Boatman (Any gender, any age)
Socially awkward and headstrong.
Adam: Novice actor. Plays Gregory and Benvolio.
John Webster (Male presenting, teenager)
Street urchin with a dark sense of humor. Revels in blood and gore. Aspires to be a player.
Catling Condell (Male presenting, 30s-60s)
Guard at de Lesseps Hall. Hard and stern.
Sir Robert de Lesseps (Male, 50s+)
Viola’s father. Conniving and self-serving.
Potential Ensemble Roles (All genders, 16+)
Various actors, nobles, servants, musicians, and townspeople.