WKP is proud to present The Taming of the Shrew and Two Gentlemen of Verona as our 2023 Summer Season! 

These two rough-and-tumble comedies, both directed by WKP Founding Artistic Director Sandra Boynton, will tour throughout the Capital District in July and August. Will Kempe's Players seeks actors, stage managers, and crew with enthusiasm and passion for the production of Shakespeare’s works through the lens of 17th century authenticity. All 2023 Summer Season participants will receive a modest stipend at the end of the tour. Click here for full production schedule details.

Performance Opportunities:

Principal roles, featured roles and ensemble tracks are available (though some onstage roles in both productions have been filled), and you are encouraged to audition for roles in either or both shows.  (Be aware if you choose to take roles in both productions that you are obligating yourself to 10-16 hours of rehearsal/week.) See below for more details:

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The Taming of the Shrew: 
Synopsis and Casting Breakdowns

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Two Gentlemen of Verona:
Synopsis and Casting Breakdowns

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All roles will be performed as the gender that Shakespeare wrote, and an actor’s gender will have no impact on the roles they may be asked to play. All costuming will be English circa 1600, and those playing women’s roles will be corseted.

This year WKP will hold the first phase of auditions via reel submissions. The deadline for reel submissions is midnight on Thursday, January 26. Please use the form to the right to make an audition submission. Please follow the instructions provided for reel submissions as closely as possible.

We ask that all auditioners provide the following in your reel:

• Two (or more) contrasting pieces of Early Modern dramatic text, totaling about 20-60 lines. Anything by Shakespeare or any other playwrights from the same era will fit into the "Early Modern" category. Please identify the play(s) and role(s). Please memorize and prepare your pieces. 

• “Something fantastic,” up to 2 minutes: This is your opportunity to show us who YOU are. Share with us a demonstration of a skill that makes you feel confident. Examples include: singing a song you love or playing a musical instrument, perhaps both; holding your breath for long periods of time; any varieties of dancing, doing impressions, party tricks, juggling, or even sharing your funniest life story. WKP wants to see what makes you unique and most importantly, we want you to have fun!

Please note: Do not be intimidated by submitting video auditions; WKP does not expect professional reels, although those are welcomed as well. Just prop up your phone and record until you love the product. Send the one(s) you love to us.

Callbacks will be held IN PERSON on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 from 2-5 pm at Creative Action Unlimited Studio, 6 Greenwood Drive, North Greenbush, NY, 12061. Those called back will be asked to attend only one of these days, not both. You will hear from us via email regarding callbacks by the evening of Friday, January 27. 

Production Opportunities:

WKP seeks 2 Stage Managers for our 2023 Summer Season (one per show). WKP also seeks 4 dedicated theatre-makers (2 per show) to serve as ASMs during the rehearsal process and backstage support during performances. All 4 ASMs will also each understudy a number of roles; they may be asked to stand in during rehearsal and will, if necessary, play the role in performance, script in hand. For more details on these positions, please see below:

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Stage Management Positions

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ASM/Understudy Opportunities

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-All participants for WKP’s 2023 Summer Season must provide proof of full COVID vaccination at the time of callback.-

-WKP does not currently contract with AEA. Please contact us with any questions.-

-WKP is currently only hiring people aged 18+.-