Women Playing Hamlet eScriptAvailable

Women Playing Hamlet by William Missouri Downs

(11)
Productions (64)
Comedy
|
70 - 100 minutes
4 W,  (4-19 actors possible: 4-19 W, )
Content Notes: Adult language.
Set: Minimal unit set with projections

Hamlet's a challenge for any actor, but when Jessica is cast as the titular character in a New York production, it sends her into an existential tailspin. It doesn't help that her acting coach is borderline abusive, or that every Starbucks barista with an MFA tells her she's too young for the role. Or that she's somehow managed to make Sir Patrick Stewart her nemesis. Not to mention the fact that she's a woman. How can Jessica figure out "to be or not to be," when she can't even figure out herself? Featuring an all-female cast performing multiple roles, Woman Playing Hamlet is rip-roaring fun for Shakespeare fans and haters alike.

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email [email protected] to receive your printable PDF.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

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Play Details

Hamlet's a challenge for any actor, but when Jessica is cast as the titular character in a New York production, it sends her into an existential tailspin. It doesn't help that her acting coach is borderline abusive, or that every Starbucks barista with an MFA tells her she's too young for the role. Or that she's somehow managed to make Sir Patrick Stewart her nemesis. Not to mention the fact that she's a woman. How can Jessica figure out "to be or not to be," when she can't even figure out herself? Featuring an all-female cast performing multiple roles, Woman Playing Hamlet is rip-roaring fun for Shakespeare fans and haters alike.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 70 - 100 minutes
  • 4 W,  (4-19 actors possible: 4-19 W, )
  • Content Notes: Adult language.
  • Set: Minimal unit set with projections
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-68069-002-6

Published Reviews

"This wickedly clever new play from William Missouri Downs, dubbed 'a comedy about a tragedy,' uses an all-woman cast to explore questions of courage and conscience in a modern setting, managing to both spoof Shakespeare and pay homage to him in a two-hour show that moves like lightning."

The Patriot News Harrisburg

"With the colorful script and vivid characters Women Playing Hamlet is a slam dunk..."

Kansas City Examiner

"What's amazing lies in the script where Downs dissects Hamlet's intricate character and puts all aspects of Hamlet's persona in Jessica's challenge to scale the ladder to play the part."

Kansas City Examiner

"A rollicking satire jabbing shallow pop culture, overly reverential attitudes toward literature and the intensive navel-gazing shared by actors."

Florida Theatre On Stage

"Silly, profound and ultimately moving"

Florida Theatre On Stage

"Downs's script has... theater history and some of the eternal questions about playing Hamlet woven into its fabric, along with funny and sobering truths about the actor's life."

Miami Herald

Production History

MAY 02, 2025 - MAY 25, 2025
Patio Playhouse
Escondido, CA United States
 Patio Playhouse Escondido, CA United States
MAR 14, 2025 - MAR 16, 2025
Community Theatre of Cabot
Cabot, AR United States
 Community Theatre of Cabot Cabot, AR United States
JAN 30, 2025 - FEB 16, 2025
Stage III Community Theatre
Casper, WY United States
 Stage III Community Theatre Casper, WY United States
FEB 28, 2024 - MAR 03, 2024
Illinois Central College Theatre
East Peoria, IL United States
 Illinois Central College Theatre East Peoria, IL United States
NOV 03, 2023 - NOV 19, 2023
Actors Theater of Orcas Island
Eastsound, WA United States
 Actors Theater of Orcas Island Eastsound, WA United States
JUN 22, 2023 - JUN 23, 2023
Lilac City Dinner Theater
Spokane, WA United States
 Lilac City Dinner Theater Spokane, WA United States
JUN 22, 2023 - JUN 24, 2023
Florentine Players
Omaha, NE United States
 Florentine Players Omaha, NE United States
MAY 19, 2023 - MAY 28, 2023
County Seat Theater Company
Cloquet, MN United States
 County Seat Theater Company Cloquet, MN United States
MAY 12, 2023 - MAY 21, 2023
Biloxi Little Theatre
Biloxi, MS United States
 Biloxi Little Theatre Biloxi, MS United States
MAY 09, 2023 - MAY 09, 2023
Caltech Playreaders
Pasadena, CA United States
 Caltech Playreaders Pasadena, CA United States
MAR 30, 2023 - APR 09, 2023
Big Dawg Productions
Wilmington, NC United States
 Big Dawg Productions Wilmington, NC United States
FEB 17, 2023 - MAR 05, 2023
Actors' Warehouse, Inc.
Gainesville, FL United States
 Actors' Warehouse, Inc. Gainesville, FL United States
DEC 03, 2022 - FEB 05, 2023
Workhouse Arts Foundation
Lorton, VA United States
 Workhouse Arts Foundation Lorton, VA United States
SEP 16, 2022 - OCT 01, 2022
EMBER WOMENS THEATRE INC
Columbus, OH United States
 EMBER WOMENS THEATRE INC Columbus, OH United States
JUL 14, 2022 - JUL 17, 2022
Blue Ridge Community Theater
Blue Ridge, GA United States
 Blue Ridge Community Theater Blue Ridge, GA United States
JUL 08, 2022 - JUL 25, 2022
No Strings Theatre Company
Las Cruces, NM United States
 No Strings Theatre Company Las Cruces, NM United States
MAY 03, 2022 - MAY 08, 2022
Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre
Baker City, OR United States
 Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre Baker City, OR United States
MAR 25, 2022 - MAR 27, 2022
Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City, TN United States
 Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN United States
MAR 03, 2022 - MAR 13, 2022
The Theatre of Western Springs
Western Springs, IL United States
 The Theatre of Western Springs Western Springs, IL United States
JAN 21, 2022 - FEB 06, 2022
New Hampshire Theatre Project
Portsmouth, NH United States
 New Hampshire Theatre Project Portsmouth, NH United States
DEC 02, 2021 - DEC 19, 2021
Curtain Players
Galena, OH United States
 Curtain Players Galena, OH United States
DEC 01, 2021 - DEC 10, 2021
Franklin High School
Stockton, CA United States
 Franklin High School Stockton, CA United States
NOV 12, 2021 - NOV 18, 2021
Irion County High School
Mertzon, TX United States
 Irion County High School Mertzon, TX United States
OCT 14, 2021 - OCT 17, 2021
Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI United States
 Lansing Community College Lansing, MI United States
OCT 14, 2021 - OCT 17, 2021
Trinity Preparatory School
Winter Park, FL United States
 Trinity Preparatory School Winter Park, FL United States
OCT 01, 2021 - OCT 10, 2021
Little Colonel Players
Pewee Valley, KY United States
 Little Colonel Players Pewee Valley, KY United States
JUN 19, 2021 - JUN 19, 2021
Angelina Community Theatre
Lufkin, TX United States
 Angelina Community Theatre Lufkin, TX United States
JUN 18, 2021 - JUN 18, 2021
Angelina Community Theatre
Lufkin, TX United States
 Angelina Community Theatre Lufkin, TX United States
MAY 05, 2021 - MAY 09, 2021
The Snarks, Ltd.
New York, NY United States
 The Snarks, Ltd. New York, NY United States
APR 22, 2021 - APR 24, 2021
Norton High School
Norton, OH United States
 Norton High School Norton, OH United States
APR 21, 2021 - APR 21, 2021
New Trier High School
Winnetka, IL United States
 New Trier High School Winnetka, IL United States
MAR 11, 2021 - MAR 13, 2021
Iqaluit Community Theatre
Iqaluit, NT Canada
 Iqaluit Community Theatre Iqaluit, NT Canada
MAR 04, 2021 - MAR 07, 2021
Baker University
Baldwin City, KS United States
 Baker University Baldwin City, KS United States
NOV 28, 2020 - NOV 29, 2020
Majestic Theatre
Corvallis, OR United States
 Majestic Theatre Corvallis, OR United States
OCT 17, 2020 - OCT 18, 2020
Maris Stella School
Durban, South Africa
 Maris Stella School Durban, South Africa
APR 04, 2020 - APR 04, 2020
Ephemeral Theatre Company
Chicago, IL United States
 Ephemeral Theatre Company Chicago, IL United States
MAR 25, 2020 - APR 04, 2020
ORiGiN Theatrical (Hartwell Players)
Camberwell, VIC New Zealand
 ORiGiN Theatrical (Hartwell Players) Camberwell, VIC New Zealand
MAR 06, 2020 - MAR 06, 2020
Alouettes Academy of the Arts
Miami, FL United States
 Alouettes Academy of the Arts Miami, FL United States
NOV 08, 2019 - NOV 16, 2019
Amelia Community Theatre
Fernandina Beach, FL United States
 Amelia Community Theatre Fernandina Beach, FL United States
MAY 10, 2019 - MAY 19, 2019
Leduc Drama Society
Leduc, AB Canada
 Leduc Drama Society Leduc, AB Canada
FEB 28, 2019 - MAR 02, 2019
Earlham College
Richmond, IN United States
 Earlham College Richmond, IN United States
FEB 28, 2019 - MAR 09, 2019
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay Theatre And Dance
Green Bay, WI United States
 University Of Wisconsin Green Bay Theatre And Dance Green Bay, WI United States
FEB 16, 2019 - FEB 16, 2019
St. Andrew's School
Middletown, DE United States
 St. Andrew's School Middletown, DE United States
FEB 15, 2019 - FEB 23, 2019
Village Players Of Fort Thomas
Fort Thomas, KY United States
 Village Players Of Fort Thomas Fort Thomas, KY United States
OCT 05, 2018 - OCT 13, 2018
Scorpio Theatre Society
Calgary, AB Canada
 Scorpio Theatre Society Calgary, AB Canada
FEB 21, 2018 - FEB 23, 2018
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD United States
 Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD United States
FEB 07, 2018 - FEB 10, 2018
Persistence Theatre Company Inc.
St. John's, NF Canada
 Persistence Theatre Company Inc. St. John's, NF Canada
OCT 04, 2017 - OCT 08, 2017
State Fair Community College
Sedalia, MO United States
 State Fair Community College Sedalia, MO United States
SEP 15, 2017 - SEP 24, 2017
Playhouse South Inc.
Kettering, OH United States
 Playhouse South Inc. Kettering, OH United States
AUG 10, 2017 - AUG 26, 2017
Pegasus Theatre
Dallas, TX United States
 Pegasus Theatre Dallas, TX United States
APR 14, 2017 - APR 29, 2017
Finlandia University
Hancock, MI United States
 Finlandia University Hancock, MI United States
APR 12, 2017 - APR 15, 2017
UW-Sheboygan
Sheboygan, WI United States
 UW-Sheboygan Sheboygan, WI United States
MAR 24, 2017 - APR 15, 2017
Tallgrass Theatre Company
West Des Moines, IA United States
 Tallgrass Theatre Company West Des Moines, IA United States
MAR 24, 2017 - APR 16, 2017
Ojai Art Center Theatre
Ojai, CA United States
 Ojai Art Center Theatre Ojai, CA United States
MAR 09, 2017 - MAR 25, 2017
Donna Scott Productions
Charlotte, NC United States
 Donna Scott Productions Charlotte, NC United States
JAN 06, 2017 - JAN 15, 2017
Juneau Douglas Little Theatre
Juneau, AK United States
 Juneau Douglas Little Theatre Juneau, AK United States
DEC 01, 2016 - DEC 10, 2016
University of Wyoming Theatre
Laramie, WY United States
 University of Wyoming Theatre Laramie, WY United States
JUN 22, 2016 - JUN 26, 2016
Tongue in Cheek Theater Productions
New York, NY United States
 Tongue in Cheek Theater Productions New York, NY United States
APR 30, 2016 - APR 30, 2016
Bas Bleu Theatre Company
Fort Collins, CO United States
 Bas Bleu Theatre Company Fort Collins, CO United States
APR 10, 2016 - APR 16, 2016
Bas Bleu Theatre Company
Fort Collins, CO United States
 Bas Bleu Theatre Company Fort Collins, CO United States
SEP 11, 2015 - SEP 21, 2015
Southern Winds Theatre
Orlando, FL United States
 Southern Winds Theatre Orlando, FL United States
MAY 13, 2015 - MAY 29, 2015
Harrisburg Shakespeare Company
Harrisburg, PA United States
 Harrisburg Shakespeare Company Harrisburg, PA United States
APR 04, 2015 - APR 26, 2015
New Theatre
Miami, FL United States
 New Theatre Miami, FL United States
MAR 04, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
Unicorn Theatre
Kansas City, MO United States
 Unicorn Theatre Kansas City, MO United States
MAY 02, 2025 - MAY 25, 2025
Patio Playhouse
Escondido, CA United States
 Patio Playhouse Escondido, CA United States
MAR 14, 2025 - MAR 16, 2025
Community Theatre of Cabot
Cabot, AR United States
 Community Theatre of Cabot Cabot, AR United States
JAN 30, 2025 - FEB 16, 2025
Stage III Community Theatre
Casper, WY United States
 Stage III Community Theatre Casper, WY United States
AUG 10, 2017 - AUG 26, 2017
Pegasus Theatre
Dallas, TX United States
 Pegasus Theatre Dallas, TX United States
SEP 11, 2015 - SEP 21, 2015
Southern Winds Theatre
Orlando, FL United States
 Southern Winds Theatre Orlando, FL United States
MAY 13, 2015 - MAY 29, 2015
Harrisburg Shakespeare Company
Harrisburg, PA United States
 Harrisburg Shakespeare Company Harrisburg, PA United States
APR 04, 2015 - APR 26, 2015
New Theatre
Miami, FL United States
 New Theatre Miami, FL United States
MAR 04, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
Unicorn Theatre
Kansas City, MO United States
 Unicorn Theatre Kansas City, MO United States

Awards (1)

Winner of a Rolling Premieres from the National New Play Network

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]

eScript Details

eScript Digital Editions cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.) It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices.

You do not need to download any additional program to view your eScript. They will become available in your account on Playscripts.com after payment has been made. For more information on eScripts, please visit our Help page.

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