Featuring original music by Hillsdale alumnus Ethan Graham ’25, “The Book of Will” explores how English playwright William Shakespeare lives on through his writings. 

The Tower Players will premiere the historic account of Shakespeare’s friends collecting his writings in “The Book of Will,” written by American playwright and screenwriter Lauren Gunderson, this week with performances in Markel Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Ticket reservations are not required. 

According to director Christopher Matsos, associate professor and chair of the theatre and dance department, the story is a tragedy and a comedy detailing the preservation of Shakespeare’s works.

“It’s a beautiful story about these two men who were probably Shakespeare’s best friends,” Matsos said. “They were some of his closest coworkers in running the Globe Theatre. And some years after he passed, they realized that everyone who had either owned copies of his plays or memorized copies of his plays were dying, and that if they didn’t do something to preserve the plays, they would be lost.” 

The performance is a product of students’ work throughout the fall semester, with auditions held on the first day of classes in August. Matsos said the students are ready to share their work.

“It is such a blessing to watch that progression of students take place over the span of some years,” Matsos said. “We have a seamless record of leadership among veteran actors that is a joy to behold. What I’m really proud of, for this show in particular, is that there are about 15 students in it, and all grade levels are represented. It’s a real pleasure to watch everyone finding their voice as artists.” 

Sophomore Aidan Bauer, who plays Shakepeare’s close friend and fellow King’s Men troupe member Henry Condell, said the play will be new to many in the audience.

“This show underscores how much people did to preserve Shakespeare,” Bauer said. “When I first read the script, I was blown away by this point in history. I’m excited to present this to other people who might have been in the same boat as me and didn’t know anything.”

According to junior Sophia Miller, who plays Rebecca Henning, the wife of Shakespeare’s close friend, the production contextualizes the plays and history most students are reading in many of their classes. 

“It’s such a beautiful, moving story that so many people don’t realize,” Miller said. “Almost every single student reads Shakespeare, and I don’t think they realize the work that it took to preserve Shakespeare’s plays. Authors live on through posterity, but you need to know why.” 

Matsos said there is a piece of the play for everyone.

“Nothing really teaches you what a play is about like an audience in performance,” Matsos said. “I think the play will speak to people who have lost people, or who have been in positions where they’ve tried to honor the legacy of someone. It will really speak to those individuals, but it’s just going to be such a colorful and funny and ultimately hopeful piece that will have something for just about everybody.”