SHAKESPEARIMENT: AS YOU LIKE IT
The one-rehearsal-one-show Shakespeare with Brian Bell
Step into the world of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, where banishment becomes adventure and love blossoms in disguise. Follow Rosalind and Celia as they flee to the Forest of Arden, sparking a lively journey filled with wit, friendship, and unexpected romance. Watch Rosalind, hidden as “Ganymede,” playfully test Orlando’s devotion while wandering through a landscape of humour and heartfelt discovery. Identities unravel, conflicts fade, and joy triumphs as the story leads to a celebration of love, harmony, and new beginnings in one of Shakespeare’s most enduring comedies.
Shakespeariment is a bold theatrical experiment in which the ensemble meets for one single rehearsal before performing live in front of an audience. The thrill of the evening emerges from risk, immediacy, and the electric exchange between performers and spectators. The results are raw, direct, and gloriously unpredictable. No elaborate sets, no special effects. Minimal props but maximum presence, courage, and connection.
Brian Bell is an acclaimed director and writer whose work spans the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. Originally from Texas, he brings a dynamic artistic range to the stage—from contemporary drama to music theater to the classical canon in both English and German. He made his directing debut in 2014 with Tracy Letts’ Killer Joe at the German National Theatre in Weimar.
Since 2015, Brian has built a vibrant freelance career, directing productions in Weimar, Meiningen, Chemnitz, Heilbronn, Baden-Baden, and Ingolstadt. His Ingolstadt production of Stella – Das blonde Gespenst vom Kurfürstendamm (Böhmer/Lund) earned a nomination for the 2018 German Musical Award in the category “Best Revival.” A passionate and imaginative interpreter of Shakespeare, he has recently staged King Lear with the Shakespeare Company Berlin and Titus Andronicus at the Vagantenbühne in Berlin, where he collaborates regularly. Since 2016, Brian has also curated and led the innovative Shakespeariment series in Berlin, through which he has created sixteen boldly original Shakespeare productions. This production is the first realization of the Shakespeariment in Hamburg.
Participation
Professional actors, students, Shakespeare lovers, curious newcomers—all experience levels welcome. Enthusiasm and willingness to take creative risks and perform in Shakespearean English are more important than prior experience. Auditions are open to performers of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and ages. Roles will be cast without regard to physical appearance. We look forward to welcoming a brave ensemble ready to leap into this one-of-a-kind live experiment!
Auditions
The production will include 15-20 roles (subject to dramaturgical adjustments). Auditions are limited to 40 participants. Please prepare a comedic Shakespeare monologue no longer than 90 seconds. You may begin anywhere in the piece, but you will be stopped at the 90-second mark.
Dates
- Casting | Saturday, Feb 7, 2026, 10:00-14:00
- Read-through | Sunday, Feb 8, 2026, 14:00-18:00
- Rehearsal | Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026, 18:00-22:00
- Show | Sunday, March 1, 19:00-21:30
By auditioning, you are committing to attend all listed dates—no exceptions. Because our rehearsal time is limited, everyone is required to arrive on time and stay for the full session.
Registration and Cost
Participation is free of charge. If you are not a student and your budget allows, we welcome a donation of €25–50 to help cover costs, making future projects like these possible.
To audition, please register by email: up@uni-hamburg.de. If you haven’t registered, you won’t get cast.
Supported by the Deutsche Shakespeare Gesellschaft
