Fair Em, The Miller's Daughter of Manchester
Secret identities, unwanted suitors, the Norman Conquest, grain to mill – what’s a Northern lass in love to do? This is the plot of Fair Em, the Miller’s Daughter of Manchester, an anonymous romantic comedy first performed in London, c.1590. The tenuous but no less tantalizing possibility of Shakespearean authorship has dominated what little critical and editorial attention Fair Em has received. Setting aside the distraction of the play’s authorship, ample material commends it as a dynamic work of drama resonating with modern audiences (e.g., a witty and sizeable female title role) and contemporary critical concerns (e.g., gender, class, and autonomy; the body and identity; region and nation; history and myth; national security and good government).
All Ohio State undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, faculty and recent alumni (~3 years) are welcome to audition. This production has many small roles, if you're looking to dip your feet.
Please prepare a 60-90 second monologue from a Shakespeare play. You will also be asked to cold read from selected scenes.
Callbacks are Thursday, September 11, 6:00-9:00pm, Denney Hall 311
Rehearsals run on-campus beginning Monday, September 15, Monday - Thursday, 7:00 - 10:00pm and Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00pm. Not all actors are needed at every rehearsal.
The show runs November 6 - 8, 2025 in the MadLab Theatre in downtown Columbus.
This production will be filmed by ASC Tech. Musicians and crew positions (including designers, production staff, and video assistants) are very welcome to participate.
For more information, contact Professor Sarah Neville or lorddenneysplayers.com.
