The Book of Will

In 1623, William Shakespeare's friends saved his work from oblivion by assembling the First Folio. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will tells this unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know.

Directed by Sarah Gitenstein, assistant professor of theatre in Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT), the fully staged co-production connects Notre Dame students with professional actors and Shakespeare scholars to produce The Book of Will at DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Under the guidance of faculty directors, FTT produces an annual theatre season that gives students the opportunity to apply learning beyond the classroom. For The Book of Will, Gitenstein expands this opportunity by bringing three professional actors, Jared Fernley, Abigail Gillan, and William Loring, to fill important lead roles. Through the production and with mentorship from the actors, students gain invaluable professional experience while exploring Shakespeare performance, creating a bridge between academic study and professional practice that enriches both the University and local community.

Credits

Sarah Gitenstein

Sarah Gitenstein is an Assistant Professor in Theatre, specializing in directing, at Notre Dame. She is also a freelance director, educator, and performer. Gitenstein’s directing credits include work at Chicago Commercial Collective, Curious Theater, American Theater Company, A Red Orchid Theatre (Sick by Seven) and Raven Theater. For The New Colony, Gitenstein directed Kate and Sam Are Not Breaking Up (Jeff Nomination-New Work) and the Off-Broadway, national tour and commercial run of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (Winner Best Production 2012 New York International Fringe Festival).

Sarah Gitenstein

Other Collaborators

William Loring has been Scenic Construction Manager at South Bend Civic Theatre since 2018, following a 25-year IT career. His South Bend stage credits include Waitress, The Crucible, As You Like It, and Caroline, or Change. He is thrilled and honored to take part and thanks Sarah for casting him.

Abigail Gillan is an actress and bakery owner (The Ragamuffin) based in South Bend. Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival credits include Macbeth (Lady Macduff) and As You Like It (Celia). Regional credits: The Huntington, Phoenix Theatre, Beef and Boards, and Theatre on the Square. BFA, Emerson College.

Jared Fernley stage credits include Writers Theatre, Northlight, The Neo-Futurists, Jackalope, Strawdog, Griffin, and The New Colony, plus Backroom Shakespeare and One Year Chekhov, where he is an ensemble member. TV credits include recurring roles on Chicago Fire (NBC) and Patriot (Amazon). A graduate of the School at Steppenwolf and UNC-Chapel Hill, he is the proud husband of Sarah Gitenstein. jaredfernley.com

Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre

Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT) offers a liberal arts approach to the study of performing arts — a unique mix of design and production, writing and performance, history and theory. In having film, television, and theatre in one department, FTT prepares students for real-world applications where artists frequently move between and among the different entertainment spheres.

Discover FTT

Funding & Support

This is a partner program of the 2027 Notre Dame Arts Biennial, supported with funding from the Notre Dame Arts Initiative.

This project is also made possible with funding from the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.

The Book of Will is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. www.concordtheatricals.com