Women Playing Hamlet by William Missouri Downs

(14)
Productions (67)
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.

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 playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com 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.

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

APR 02, 2026 - APR 26, 2026
Whidbey Playhouse
Oak Harbor, WA United States
Whidbey PlayhouseOak Harbor, WA United States
MAY 02, 2025 - MAY 25, 2025
Patio Playhouse
Escondido, CA United States
Patio PlayhouseEscondido, CA United States
APR 04, 2025 - APR 13, 2025
Mighty Corson Art Players
Brandon, SD United States
Mighty Corson Art PlayersBrandon, SD United States
MAR 28, 2025 - MAR 28, 2025
Sacred Heart Academy
Hamden, CT United States
Sacred Heart AcademyHamden, CT United States
MAR 14, 2025 - MAR 16, 2025
Community Theatre of Cabot
Cabot, AR United States
Community Theatre of CabotCabot, AR United States
JAN 30, 2025 - FEB 16, 2025
Stage III Community Theatre
Casper, WY United States
Stage III Community TheatreCasper, WY United States
FEB 28, 2024 - MAR 03, 2024
Illinois Central College Theatre
East Peoria, IL United States
Illinois Central College TheatreEast Peoria, IL United States
NOV 03, 2023 - NOV 19, 2023
Actors Theater of Orcas Island
Eastsound, WA United States
Actors Theater of Orcas IslandEastsound, WA United States
JUN 22, 2023 - JUN 23, 2023
Lilac City Dinner Theater
Spokane, WA United States
Lilac City Dinner TheaterSpokane, WA United States
JUN 22, 2023 - JUN 24, 2023
Florentine Players
Omaha, NE United States
Florentine PlayersOmaha, NE United States
1 of 7
APR 02, 2026 - APR 26, 2026
Whidbey Playhouse
Oak Harbor, WA United States
Whidbey PlayhouseOak Harbor, WA United States
MAY 02, 2025 - MAY 25, 2025
Patio Playhouse
Escondido, CA United States
Patio PlayhouseEscondido, CA United States
APR 04, 2025 - APR 13, 2025
Mighty Corson Art Players
Brandon, SD United States
Mighty Corson Art PlayersBrandon, SD United States
AUG 10, 2017 - AUG 26, 2017
Pegasus Theatre
Dallas, TX United States
Pegasus TheatreDallas, TX United States
SEP 11, 2015 - SEP 21, 2015
Southern Winds Theatre
Orlando, FL United States
Southern Winds TheatreOrlando, FL United States
MAY 13, 2015 - MAY 29, 2015
Harrisburg Shakespeare Company
Harrisburg, PA United States
Harrisburg Shakespeare CompanyHarrisburg, PA United States
APR 04, 2015 - APR 26, 2015
New Theatre
Miami, FL United States
New TheatreMiami, FL United States
MAR 04, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
Unicorn Theatre
Kansas City, MO United States
Unicorn TheatreKansas 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 playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com

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.