Pull-Tight Players

Celebrating a Tradition of Live Theatre in Williamson County

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Auditions for The Book of Will

October 26, 2022

The Book of Will at Pull-Tight Players

Sunday & Monday, Dec. 4 & 5, 6:30 p.m.
Pull-Tight Players Theatre
112 2nd Ave. S., Franklin, TN

Performance dates: February 3-4, 8-11, & 15-18 at 7:30 p.m.; February 5 & 12 at 2:30 p.m.

Pull-Tight Players is thrilled to announce auditions for our upcoming production of The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson. Auditions consist of readings from the script. A wide variety of roles are available for 8 men and 6 women, ages 18+. All roles are open.

Please be prepared to list any and all conflict dates for the months of December through February. Though this play takes place in Shakespeare’s London, British accents will NOT be used. Please contact director Lenny West at west.lenny@gmail.com for more information.

If needed, callbacks will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30.

Summary

The year is 1619. William Shakespeare has been dead for 3 years. John Heminges and Henry Condell, Will’s friends and members of his acting company, The King’s Men, are faced with the reality that not only are their friends and fellow performers dying, but so are Will’s plays. With their genius friend’s legacy and their life’s work on the line, John and Henry and a cast of colorful characters set off on a race against time to preserve Shakespeare’s work while it is still possible. With no money or publishing experience, they set out to collect, compile, edit and print The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. This unforgettable true story is a lively, funny and poignant love letter to theater and to the printed word.

Character Descriptions


Men

John Hemings—50+. Former actor and current financial manager of the King’s Men. Owner of the Globe Tap House. A good man, rational, logical, serious. Leads with his head and keeps his emotions below the surface. Husband to Rebecca, father of Alice. Stutters when things become overwhelming.

Henry Condell—45+. Actor in the King’s Men. Feisty, hopeful, sensitive. Has large feelings and emotions and isn’t afraid to show them. Leads with his heart. Husband to Elizabeth.

Ben Jonson—40+. Poet Laureate of England. Friend and rival of Shakespeare. One of the all-time great drunks. A bear of a man, yet surprisingly weepy.

Richard Burbage—50+. A seasoned lion of the stage. Famous across England. Loud and proud.

William Jaggard—60+. Successful if shady publisher of books, plays and playbills. He is confident in his ability to get what he wants. Willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and win. An ass. Blind. Father of Isaac.

Isaac Jaggard—25+. William’s son, will inherit the business. Sensitive. An artist at heart. Strives to do what is right.

Ralph Crane—30s-40s. Humble scribe and editor of the King’s Men. Quick, sure and quiet.

Ed Knight—30s-40s. Stage Manager for the King’s Men. Self-important, frenzied and prickly.

Boy Hamlet—20s. A very young and not-so-talented actor playing Hamlet

Marcus—20s. A young apprentice at Jaggard’s print shop. Opinionated, takes his work very seriously.

Barmen, Workers at Print Shop, Members of Shakespeare Society, Actors in Production of Hamlet

Women

Alice Hemings—25+. Operator and bartender of the Globe Tap House. Lover of theater. Sassy, spunky, blunt. Hangs with the boys. Daughter of John & Rebecca.

Rebecca Heminges—50+. Reserved, practical. A good woman, a good wife, a good mother. Strong, busy, but with a sense of humor. She has weathered much and always knows what is right. Wife to John and mother of Alice.

Elizabeth Condell—40s. Henry’s wife. Savvy and fun. Enjoys being the wife of a famous actor. The more practical half of the couple—her feet are on the ground while his head is in the clouds. A true and loyal friend.

Emilia Bassano Lanier—40+. A wealthy, successful poet. Regal and elegant, but warm and feisty. Lover of life (and of Shakespeare).

Anne Hathaway Shakespeare—60+. The ailing wife of William Shakespeare. Strong, classy, stoic.

Susannah Shakespeare—30+. William Shakespeare’s daughter. Has unresolved feelings about her father, disillusioned.

Compositor—25+. A typesetter in Jaggard’s print shop. Quick and efficient.

Barmaids, Ladies of Ill Repute, Members of Shakespeare Society, Workers at Print Shop, Actors in Production of Hamlet

A Few Notes on Casting

What did Shakespeare say? “All the world’s a stage … and one man in his time plays many parts.” This play does not necessarily follow a traditional format. It is written for actors to play multiple roles. Almost all performers will double up on roles (John, Henry and Alice are likely to be the ONLY exceptions). Some performers will have substantial speaking roles. Some will have one REALLY good dialogue scene and work within the ensemble for the remainder of the show. Please don’t think that only the principal roles are worth playing. I guarantee you that EVERY performer will be vital to the success of this show and that everyone will have the opportunity to shine. Part of the fun of being an actor is the ability to disappear into a character. What a fun challenge to disappear into multiple characters within the same show!

Audition Form

If you prefer to complete it ahead of time, download our audition form here.
PT Audition Form DOC
PT Audition Form PDF

Sides

You may download the following sides that will be used at auditions.

John-Rebecca-Alice
John-Henry
John-Henry-Alice-Rebecca-Elizabeth-Ben
John-Henry-Alice-Jaggard-Issac
John-Henry-Alice-Burbage
Emilia-Henry
Rebecca-Elizabeth-Alice
Marcus-Compositor

Filed Under: Auditions, Blog

Announcing the Cast of ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’

October 4, 2022

Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at Pull-Tight Players

Director JT Landry has released the cast list for our December production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, part of our diverse and entertaining 2022-23 season.

“We have assembled a stellar cast for our upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” remarked Landry. “We can’t wait for you to experience the magic December 2 through 17. Midnight is calling.”

The cast, including both veterans and newcomers, is as follows.

Ella – Crystal Kurek, a Pull-Tight newcomer who recently played Cinderella in a production of Into the Woods.

Topher – Ross Canales, another new face who appeared this summer in Little Women: The Musical in Eugene, Or.

Madame – Sarah Kieffner, director of this year’s The Play that Goes Wrong.

Sebastian – Jeremy Hargis, a past season executive producer and cast member of Waiting in the Wings.

Marie – Lisa Graham, a veteran actress with Murfreesboro Center for the Arts.

Gabrielle – Chelsea Craig, who most recently starred as Carly Speranza in Pull-Tight’s production of Madame Buttermilk.

Charlotte – Sydney Hooper, returning to our stage following her appearance in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Jean-Michel – Forrest Hutchinson, adding to our slate of Pull-Tight first-timers.

Lord Pinkelton – Logan Michael, a board member and artistic director at Elite Studio Works in Murfreesboro.

Ensemble – Erin Hailey (Big Fish), Bev Kassis (Waiting in the Wings), Megan Roberts (All My Sons), Rachel Sinclair (The Miracle Worker), and David Weatherbee (lighting and sound technician on Crimes of the Heart).

Tickets for our 12 performances will go on sale Nov. 21.

Filed Under: Blog, Cast & Crew Lists Tagged With: 2022-23 season, cast announcement

President’s Blog: September 2022

September 11, 2022

Lynda Gibbs

Let me just begin by saying, the play that went right! Well, sort of.

What a fabulous way to open our 54th season. Kudos to Sarah Keiffner and her cast and crew for the delightful production of The Play that Goes Wrong. I heard so many comments and raucous laughter all around me as the audience went on this crazy ride with this dedicated cast and crew. It was terrific fun and we thank you.

Next up is the Arthur Miller play, All My Sons. Daryle Talent and her cast and crew are hard at work to bring this incredible, taut drama to the Pull-Tight stage. Tickets go on sale on September 19, and the show opens on September 30. This was Arthur Miller’s first success as a playwright and was written at a particularly tumultuous time in our nation’s history. Daryle and I were both cast in Pull-Tight’s 2001 production. It is very dear to both our hearts.

Speaking of our hearts, the Pull-Tight community was very saddened to hear of the unexpected death of our founder, Vance Ormes. It took a particularly creative, determined young individual to bring us into existence, which was quite a feat for a then 16 year old. The foundation upon which we have since built was largely due to the dedication and commitment he instilled in others. He will be missed.

As fall descends, stay well, and thank you all for your continued support. See you at the theater!

Filed Under: Blog, President's Blog Tagged With: 2022-23 season

YAG Improvisation Workshop with Jarvis Bynum

August 19, 2022

Our next Youth Actors Guild for Teens, ages 13-18 is Saturday, September 3 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Pull-Tight Theater. Make plans for a fun morning of improvisation. No acting experience necessary.

We’ll be using the magic of improv to build on some of our skills, such as active listening, connection, being present, and vulnerability, with local professional actor and improviser, Jarvis Bynum.

Jarvis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre Performance from Austin Peay State University. He currently the director of the Nashville Improv Company, with whom he’s been performing for six years.

For more information, email Leslie Berra or Carmela Hofstee.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: YAG, Youth Actors Guild

Cast Is Set for Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons’

August 18, 2022

Pull-Tight Players’ first drama of its 2022-23 season is Arthur Miller’s Tony-winning All My Sons. First staged in 1947, the play unfolds the story of an American family caught up in the tragedy that follows secrets and betrayal. Pull-Tight last produced the show in 2001.

The next production will open Sept. 30. Daryle Tallent, who most recently appeared in last season’s Madame Buttermilk, directs, with production by JK Gregg and Mark Mason.

The cast is as follows:

Cabot Pyle as Joe Keller – Cabot most recently appeared in last season’s closer, The Odd Couple, and also appeared as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.

Jeanne Drone as Kate Keller – Jeanne appeared in 2020’s Waiting in the Wings, and directed The Miracle Worker.

Megan Roberts as Ann Deever – Megan won Pull-Tight’s Newcomer of the Year award in 2021. She played Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker.

Lenny West as George Deever – Lenny won Most Valuable Player for his role in The Odd Couple. He will direct this season’s The Book of Will.

Steve Mook as Jim Bayliss – Steve served on the crew of last season’s opener, Crimes of the Heart.

Willa Ross as Sue Bayliss – Willa appeared in our 2004 production of Steel Magnolias.

Tom Gregg as Frank Lubey – Tom appeared as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, and played Victor Fleming in 2019’s Moonlight and Magnolias.

Meredith Seymour as Lydia Lubey – Meredith returns to Pull-Tight after last appearing in Waiting in the Wings.

Pull-Tight also welcomes Nathan Basner as Chris Keller and Chandler Young as Bert.

Tickets for All My Sons will go on sale September 19.

Filed Under: Blog, Cast & Crew Lists Tagged With: 2022-23 season, cast announcement

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Contact Us

Pull-Tight Players Theatre
P.O. Box 105
Franklin, TN 37065
Box office: tickets@pull-tight.com
General: info@pull-tight.com

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