Minstrel
Opens the show by welcoming the audience to the Renaissance! The
Minstrel joins the ensemble for the rest of the show.
Brother Jeremiah
A Puritan and Portia’s father. He sees sin wherever he looks and does not approve of the theater especially Nick and Nigel’s Troupe.
Gender: male
Portia
A Puritan and Brother Jeremiah’s daughter. She is passionate about poetry even though she isn’t technically allowed to read it.
Gender: female
William Shakespeare
The most famous playwright in Tudor England. Though Shakespeare is extremely successful, he’s always on the lookout for inspiration, which sometimes includes borrowing ideas from others.
Gender: male
Nick Bottom
A struggling playwright who dreams – much to his own chagrin – of having a career like Shakespeare’s. Though Nick is artistically frustrated and stressed about leading the Troupe, he means well, even if his actions aren’t always exactly ethical.
Gender: male
Nigel Bottom
Nick’s sweet younger brother, lacks the confidence he needs to write until he falls in love with Portia. Inspired by her confidence in him, Nigel writes verses worthy of Shakespeare himself!
Gender: male
Troupe
Peter Quince, Robin, Tom Snout, Snug, Francis Flute
These fun character parts sing as a group but have no solos. Peter, Robin, Tom, and Francis have spoken lines.
Lord Clapham
A posh patron of the theater. He abandons the Troupe as their patron once they cross Brother Jeremiah.
Gender: male
Shylock
Banned from any profession other than moneylending, but theatre is his true love, and he wants nothing more than to become the Troupe’s patron
Gender: male
Bea
Married to Nick and loves him in spite of his lack of success in the theatre. She is whip-smart, is resourceful, and always looks on the bright side of any situation.
Gender: female
Nostradamus
Not the Nostradamus, but his niece, Nancy – can see the future, although with varying degrees of accuracy. Her predictions, for better or worse, lead the Troupe to produce their very first musical.
Gender: female
Featured Roles
Foreman, Messenger, Announcer, Attendant, Doorman, Panicked Woman, Valet, Eyepatch Man, Horatio, Footman, Master of the Justice, Court Scribe, Clerk
Ensemble
Townspeople (Solo 1, Solo 2, Solo 3, Solo 4), Puritans (Puritan 1, Puritan 2, Puritan 3, Puritan 4), Crowd (1st Person In Crowd, 2nd Person In Crowd, 3rd Person In Crowd, Astrologers (Astrologer), Psychics, Fortune Tellers, Chorus, Grim Reapers, Eggs (Sad Little Egg), Guards
