The Book of Will

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Directed by Sean K. Thompson

Dramatis Personae
(in order of appearance)

Kyle Shillibeer (Boy Hamlet; Horatio; Musician) is happy to join Theater Southwest for his first stage appearance in the United States. Having started as an innocent in Canada where he was abducted from the church choir, stuffed into silver tights and pushed onto the stage to play Prince Charming in SNOW WHITE PANTO, he has become addicted to exploring roles on stage and film. He’s played characters as diverse as Billy Bibbit in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, Danny Zuko in GREASE, THE MUSICAL and Dromio in a modern adaptation of A COMEDY OF ERRORS. With private coaching in Shakespearean monologues and certification in stage combat, he dreams of a future full of playing many of the fine roles written by the great Bard. He is excited to begin that future among the cast of THE BOOK OF WILL.

Lifang Li, PhD (Musician) is a filmmaker, author, screenwriter, dancer, musician, and neurobiologist. She wrote, produced, and starred in the short film BACH’S TWO-VIOLIN CONCERTO as the lead violinist. She is currently fundraising for her self-written feature film SISTERS, which tells the story of a good-faith North Korean refugee scientist caught in the espionage war between the US and North Korea. Li, trained in classical violin, also has a keen interest in arranging pop music for the instrument. She performs as a guest violinist in her home church in Houston and is an emerging scoring violinist in both the Houston and Austin areas. Her motto is “To be, or not to be – that is the fun!”

John Patterson (John Heminges) has worked in Texas and New York as an actor, musician, director, composer, and fight coach for the past 27 years. He was most recently seen in HENRY V for The Woodlands Shakespeare Festival (Dauphin), Dirt Dog Theatre Company’s THE EXONERATED (Gary), SWEENEY TODD (Judge Turpin) at Inspiration Stage, and MACBETH (Macbeth) at UpStage Theater. Other recent theatrical credits include Dirt Dog Theatre Company’s THE DEAD EYE BOY (Fight Director), LONE STAR and LAUNDRY AND BOURBON at the Company OnStage (Director), A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Fight Director) and BRIGHT IDEAS (Director) at Theatre Southwest. 

Joseph Ross (Henry Condell) is making his debut at Theatre Southwest. Joseph is happy to be part of this show, and will be directing TAMING OF THE SHREW later this year for Points North Theatre. “Suit the Action to the Word, the Word to the Action” HAMLET, Act 3, Sc 2. 

Lise Morrow (Alice) last appeared onstage in the 2019 Kern Shakespeare Festival as Malvolio in TWELFTH NIGHT and Alice in HENRY V. They first fell in love with Shakespeare while playing The Courtesan in their elementary school's production of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS despite having no idea what a courtesan was. They have since been fortunate enough to play Julius Caesar, Jaques, and Titania, among others. Shout out to the Kwan and all their theater family and friends in California, without whom they would be nowhere. They would like to dedicate this performance to the memory of their mother, Sharon Lynn Morrow; to Martha Canant Hoffmann, who is a mother to them in every way but blood; and to Chris Hoffmann, their partner, love of their life, and generally best and most favorite person. 

Alonso Prusmack (Richard Burbage; Aspley; Sir Edward Derling) is a graduate of the University of Houston in political science and theatre, and also a thespian that is passionate about the craft of theatre, and has a love of performance art that has become an integral part of his life. He has three children, Aidan, Jacob, and Grace, whom he is absolutely in love with and extremely proud of. He has been seen around town in many a play and comedy show. Alonso also fancies himself a comedian, and can be seen, regularly, at Station Theater, Comedy Sports, Rec Room, and with Pronoia Theatre sketch comedy.

Marcus Sabom (Barman; Bernardo; Marcus) – Aside from the occasional one-off Reader’s Theatre, it’s been a long time since he has been at TSW or any stage. Being a truck driver leaves little time for the demands of live theatre, but thanks to a new job Marcus is excited to grace the stage once again. The last time he was on stage was for the FOO in 2018. He also played Mr. Amonson in A THOUSAND CLOWNS for TSW. Funnily enough, Marcus has never been in a Shakespeare play, always Shakespeare-adjacent shows, such as when he played the Dramaturg in RULES OF COMEDY. He’s also played Friar Tuck in ROBIN HOOD, Baloo the bear in THE JUNGLE BOOK, and the villainous Barnaby in BABES IN TOYLAND. When Marcus isn’t acting, he’s busy writing his next book under the careful supervision of his pet cats. Marcus would like to thank everyone in the cast and crew for their talent, hard work, and for welcoming him back to the stage. And, most importantly, he’d like to thank you, the person reading this, for coming to see the show! Hope you enjoy!

Michael J. Franklin (Barman 2, Francesco, Compositor, Printer 1) has a passion for theater and continues to find ways to do what he loves. And that is being on the stage and performing with his fellow actors. His last performance was HAMLET at Lone Star College-CyFair in the fall of 2022, where he played multiple roles, including the Ghost, Player King, Grave Digger 3, and Fight Captain. Other credits from Lone Star include A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, BUNNICULA, HANDS ON A HARDBODY, and ROMEO & JULIET. Michael also performed at Playhouse1960 in the following productions: SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. He enjoys immersing himself in various characters, which allows him to tap into his acting versatility to project the essence of his characters on the stage, which lets the audience know what they are experiencing is real! Michael's voice is his superpower, which he uses to inspire others and make them smile. He is a graduate of Lone Star College, works at FedEx in Cypress, Texas, and has started his own Voice-Over and Narration Business @https://www.mikejf.com. More importantly, Michael sends out his love and appreciation to his family and friends for their support and encouragement throughout this acting career. 

Les Rizk (Barman 3; Marcellus; Printer 2) – He’s new.

Amira Judeh (Rebecca Heminges) is glad to get to venture back onstage after spending the last few years directing and designing. The last time she was on stage it was for the chance to play Benedick in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Other notable roles from her past include Lady Macbeth in MACBETH, Magdelon in LES PRECIEUSES RIDICULES, and Marta in COMPANY. She began her theatre career in California, and is now a theatre professor at Lone Star and San Jacinto Colleges here in Houston. Getting to play and work with this wonderful cast and crew has been a joy.

Brit Garcia (Elizabeth Condell) has most recently appeared on the TSW stage as Rosemary in OUTSIDE MULLINGAR and is thrilled to be a part of this amazing cast! Her first encounter with Shakespeare was as Bianca many moons ago in her high school's production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. She currently serves on the TSW Board as Secretary. Brit has performed around Houston since her childhood, with her very first TSW appearance being over a decade ago. Favorite roles include Myrtle Mae (HARVEY-Stageworks), Geraldine DiGenaro (FOO – Knock Off), Hannah Mae (A COUPLA CHICKS SITTING AROUND TALKING-TSW), and Girleen (THE LONESOME WEST – TSW).

Brian Heaton (Ben Johnson) has previously been seen at TSW as Anthony in OUTSIDE MULLINGAR, Shep in BELL, BOOK & CANDLE, Torvald in A DOLL'S HOUSE, Mat Burke in ANNA CHRISTIE and many others. Elsewhere he has been seen as Treves in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Starbuck in THE RAINMAKER, Stanley in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Hornbeck in INHERIT THE WIND, Claudius in HAMLET, Malvolio in TWELFTH NIGHT, Rosencrantz in ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, Elyot in PRIVATE LIVES. He has had the pleasure of having been directed by Sean many times before as Murcutio in ROMEO & JULIET, Benedick in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and Athos in THE THREE MUSKETEERS. Brian has a great passion for period pieces, classics and Shakespeare’s work. He is thrilled to pay tribute to Will and to Ben Jonson (with whom recent research has made him a fan) and is proud to honor the men that kept Will’s work alive. Work that still thrives today. A tremendous cast and an amazing story to tell. Welcome to the 1600s. 

Ethan Janecka (Ralph Crane) has been appearing in school and area productions for fourteen years. He and his troupe members of Ridge Point High School won Best Play in Texas at the Texas Thespians State Festival performing Empowered. He played the villain Sly Skull in THE PAPER BAG BANDIT, Sam in THE EVER AFTER, the Cricket in MULAN and the Fox in THE GINGERBREAD MAN among many other roles. He also had a wonderful experience appearing with both of his parents in THE GRAPES OF WRATH with the Houston Theater Company. He recently performed as James Bean in the radio theater/podcasts shows of WHO KILLED JESSE MAY JONES, THE LEGEND OF THEODORA BERNARD, and THE UMBRELLA MURDERS. 

Helen Warwick (Ed Knight; Blount; Anne Hathaway) was last seen on this stage as Aunt Queenie in BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE. Favorite roles elsewhere include Rose in ENCHANTED APRIL, Addie Mae in THE COVER OF LIFE, and Mrs. Dudley in THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. In her day job, Helen leads HR at Cemvita, an up-and-coming energy transition startup (check them out at https://www.cemvita.com/). 

John William Stevens (William Jaggard) has most recently appeared in ALL IN THE TIMING as Leon Trotsky. John also recently appeared in THE GREEN BOOK at The Ensemble Theater and INHERIT THE WIND (Brady) for ConeMan following his appearance in WIT with The Houston Equity Festival (Kelekian/Mr Bearing). He has appeared at The Ensemble: MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM (Sturdivant), GEM OF THE OCEAN ( Selig), THE WAITING ROOM (Gordon, Black National Theater Festival 2011), IN ALL THY GETTING (Carl, with Houston Play on Purpose); Theatre Southwest: I HATE HAMLET (Barrymore’s Ghost), DRACULA (Old Dracula), BARRYMORE (John Barrymore), PHILADELPHIA STORY (Uncle Willy, also nominated for best set Houston Theater awards), OVER THE RIVER (Nunzio); Country Playhouse: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (One man show), BELOW THE BELT, THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (Coach), LEND ME A TENOR, DRAWER BOY, MASS APPEAL, WOMAN IN BLACK (Kipps); Playhouse 1960: LION IN WINTER (King Henry), DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Willy Loman), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Atticus Finch), ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (Harding), I’M NOT RAPPAPORT (Nat Moyer), CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Big Daddy): Crighton Theater: MOON OVER BUFFALO (George Hay), among others.

Reijon Liboon (Isaac Jaggard) is excited to return to the stage after being away since the start of the pandemic. He would like to thank his friends and family for all the support they have given him. Past roles include: Carthage in BY THE BOG OF CATS, Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, John Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN, and Leonardo in BLOOD WEDDING. 

Mary Ann Janecka (Fruit Seller; Pavier) has been an educator throughout her career having taught first, third, fourth grades, dual credit and college history and humanities. She was most recently a K-8 Head Librarian at a private school. She has been past Regent and Vice Regent for the Fort Bend Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She has appeared in over 200 theatrical productions in the Houston area over the past 40 years. She has performed with Cast Theatrical Company in Rosenberg in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY, BULL IN A CHINA SHOP and QUEEN OF BINGO. She has also appeared in GRAPES OF WRATH with the Houston Theatre Company, TOM SAWYER and SLEEPING BEAUTY with Company OnStage, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with Pearl Theater, THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB with The Purple Box Theater and A VERY SPAGHETTI WESTERN and GOLDEN GIRLS with The Agatha Theater.

Julie Gersib (Emilia Bassano Lanier) became active in the Houston theatre scene four years ago (after nearly twenty years away from acting). She has been fortunate enough during this time to appear in productions at various theaters around Houston, do some voice over work, and be cast in a supporting role, in an Indie movie (you are never too old to try something new). Julie was last seen on the TSW stage as Costanza in ENCHANTED APRIL. She is grateful for the opportunity to portray Emelia, and work with such a talented cast and production team on this wonderful show. Thank you, Sean, for casting me, and thank you, TSW, for producing THE BOOK OF WILL.

Daniela Castro (Susannah Shakespeare) is very excited to be a part of THE BOOK OF WILL. She was last seen as Soot in THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO and Agnes in THE SHADOWBOX. She wants to thank her family and partner for the continuous support. She would also like to thank the cast and crew for making her first acting experience at Theatre Southwest a great one. 

Productio Cantavit

Sean K. Thompson (Director; Sound Design) – Sean is so happy to be once again directing at TSW; previously he had directed THE LONESOME WEST. You saw him here on stage in last year’s OUTSIDE MULLINGAR and in a FOO or two and several Reader’s Theatres. He is also the producer and oftentimes director of The Woodlands Shakespeare Festival, where he’s directed ROMEO & JULIET, MACBETH, THE TEMPEST, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and HENRY V. Elsewhere, Sean has directed countless productions for theatres such as Stageworks, UpStage Theatre, The Players Theatre Company, and Points North Theatre. By day, he is a small business owner (www.c3memories.com), the news editor for Woodlands Online, the artistic director for Points North, a professional improv actor and musician, a radio and television personality, an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, and best-selling novelist. He was honored to receive Best Director and Best Play in the 2023 BroadwayWorld Houston Awards. His latest feature film, BAILEY’S VOICE, has already won one festival and is slated for a public premiere this summer. He’ll sleep when he’s dead. Einai kalytero anthropo apo ton patera toy.

Schrenia Bockholt (Stage Manager) is always happy when she’s behind the scenes of a show at Theatre Southwest. When she isn’t reigning in the backstage chaos, she can usually be found with a coffee in hand waiting on flights at the airport.


Allie Webb (Assistant Stage Manager) is so excited to be a part of Theatre Southwest production! She has been involved in numerous productions since early childhood and managed her first production her sophomore year of high school. Some of her favorite highlights from her stage management career have been ALICE IN WONDERLAND, THE TEMPEST, FROZEN and HENRY V.

Amber Stepanik (Costumer) is a professor of Theatre at Lone Star College Montgomery and adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University. She earned her MFA in Theatre from the University of Houston where she focused on costume technology and design, and is a graduate of Trinity University.  Amber is a costume designer, technician, and director in the greater Houston area and has collaborated on over 60 productions. She is the winner of the 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022 BroadwayWorld Houston award for Best Costume Design for THREE MUSKETEERS, INTO THE WOODS, GYPSY, and SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD. In 2014 and 2016 she was a Houston Press Theatre Awards finalist in Costume Design for BEAUX STRATAGEM and 13 RUE DE L’ AMOUR. She is also a three-time winner of the Kennedy Center College Theatre Festival Award for excellence in costume design for THE STUDENT BODY, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, and GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT. Amber is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and is passionate about her Native American culture. Her Capstone Project was presented at USITT in Baltimore during her session: Native American Regalia: History, Examples, and Techniques.

Ashley Noël Peters (Props) is elated to join the production crew as Prop Mistress for THE BOOK OF WILL. She began with TSW this past summer working crew for 2022’s Festival of Originals (FOO), and most recently stage managed THE DEER AND THE ANTELOPE PLAY and EVERYBODY LOVES OPAL. Ashley’s credits include being the Production Stage Manager for Queensbury Theater and the Tribble School for the Performing Arts 2015-2019, along with other notable work done at Stages Repertory Theater, Main Street Theater Youth, Obsidian Theater, The Ensemble Theater, and The Barn Theater (MI). Some of Ashley’s favorite productions include THE WOMAN IN BLACK, XANADU, HEDWIG, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SWEENY TODD, LITTLE WOMEN, AIN’T NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and OLEANNA. Ashley has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a Minor in Drama from the University of Houston-Downtown. 

Kevin Tully (Lighting Design) won’t speak for himself, but the rest of us know we’d be in the dark without him.

Pickles (Assistant to the Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be a part of another live theater production as his owner Allie Webb’s service dog. He's an actor’s best friend and has a nose for this business. He comes from a fine pedigree, valedictorian of service dog school and some unconfirmed reports of him being a descendant of William Shakespears dog. 



Production

Director……….Sean K. Thompson
Stage Manager……….Schrenia Bockholt
Assistant Stage Manager……….Alliegh Webb
Costumes……….Amber Stepanik
Props……….Ashley Peters
Set Design……….John Stevens
Lighting Design……….Kevin Tully
Sound Design……….Sean K. Thompson
Music Design……….Beth Shillibeer
Assistant to the Assistant Stage Manager……….Pickles

Set Construction
Michael Franklin ● Brit Garcia ● Julie Gersib ● Will Gutkowski ● Lise Morrow ● Les Rizk
● John Stevens ● Sean K. Thompson ● Amira Judeh ● Helen Warwick


Director’s Note

Thirty-seven plays; 154 sonnets; 884,647 words, of which 1,700 didn’t exist before he invented them. Love him or hate him, Will Shakespeare was the singular most groundbreaking, eternal, popular writer in the history of the universe; and, as a result, he is equally loved and feared.

My first exposure to the Bard came when I was about 5 or 6, and my sister’s drama class needed a Macduff kid to be slaughtered for their spring production. Shortly thereafter, I caught a live-to-tape presentation of Much Ado on CBS television starring Sam Waterson. Though the dialogue was as coherent to me as a Fellini film without subtitles, I was hooked. 

The problem with Shakespeare today is that he’s taught to students all wrong. Nowadays, a class is given one of the Big Three (Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, or Mudsummer) in book form with no modern translation and is expected to conjure a cohesive story in their minds. That’s like throwing the screenplay to Star Wars to a youth who hasn’t seen the movie and expect them to be satisfied with just that. Shakespeare isn’t just to be read; he’s to be experienced.

This particular play is special to me for three reasons. First off, it brings to life and to light the trials and travails of the men (and their wives) fighting to preserve the writings that were being threatened to be bastardized and subsequently lost forever. While fictionalized, dramatized, and humorized, these actual events happened. To me, the parallels I draw between the plot and characters of The Book of Will and the musical 1776 are profound.

The second reason this play is special to me is because the playwright, Lauren Gunderson, made it accessible to her audiences. This play isn’t Shakespeare, but it’s about him. There’s no iambic pentameter or rhymed couplets or high speech (unless a play within the play is being enacted). There’s nothing to compel someone to fear the speech or fret that they won’t ‘get’ the plot. In Gunderson’s own words, Shakespeare’s for everyone, and she backs that up with her characters. That’s why I chose to avoid wigs and all-British accents for this production; the inner hearts, souls, and lights of the characters are there for all to see, and it doesn’t matter if this play takes place in 1623 or 2023.

The final reason this play is special to me is completely and utterly due to the cast and crew. They fought bravely to bring this true-to-life tale to life, and I’m eternally grateful to each and every one of them.

Exit, pursued by a bear.
Sean K. Thompson