Merely Players

by Katherine Gwynn

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players—but what does it mean to play? "Merely Players" catches Rosalind in the midst of her epilogue in As You Like It, only to then turn the spotlight on Phebe, the lowly shepherd girl who fell in love with Rosalind in drag as Ganymede. Taking place in a single night, "Merely Players" raises questions about sexuality, sonnets, gender, violence, dead...

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players—but what does it mean to play? "Merely Players" catches Rosalind in the midst of her epilogue in As You Like It, only to then turn the spotlight on Phebe, the lowly shepherd girl who fell in love with Rosalind in drag as Ganymede. Taking place in a single night, "Merely Players" raises questions about sexuality, sonnets, gender, violence, dead deer, and love. It’s a trunkshow with a trunk that’s more than it seems, a show where the men are played by women, and a chance for Phebe to discover what being a player—and being free—really means.

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Merely Players

Recommended by

  • Gregory Berry: Merely Players by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    I am currently directing this remarkable play. It is a play of depth and humor that examines the relationship of Phebe & Rosalind/Ganymede through a different lens. Phebe is the focal point of the play who challenges normative standards of gender. What is love? Who do we love and does it matter? I'm telling you more theatre groups should be doing this play; big, small, Shakespeare companies, universities, professional, amateur--just do it! Katherine Gwynn has written a play with longevity. You won't look at the Forest of Arden the same way again. I love it!

    I am currently directing this remarkable play. It is a play of depth and humor that examines the relationship of Phebe & Rosalind/Ganymede through a different lens. Phebe is the focal point of the play who challenges normative standards of gender. What is love? Who do we love and does it matter? I'm telling you more theatre groups should be doing this play; big, small, Shakespeare companies, universities, professional, amateur--just do it! Katherine Gwynn has written a play with longevity. You won't look at the Forest of Arden the same way again. I love it!

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Merely Players by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    A terrific exploration of Shakespeare that really speaks to the journey of learning to be free and welcome love! Wonderful!

    A terrific exploration of Shakespeare that really speaks to the journey of learning to be free and welcome love! Wonderful!

    ”

Character Information

PHEBE – A shepherdess in the Forest of Arden. Incisive. To be played by a young woman.

ORLANDO – A lord, married to ROSALIND. Artless. To be played by the same actor that plays PHEBE.

ROSALIND – A lady of the court, cousin of CELIA. Artful. To be played by a young woman.

SILVIUS – A shepherd boy in Arden, married to PHEBE. Hungry. To be played by the same actor that plays ROSALIND.

CELIA – A lady of the court, cousin to ROSALIND, married to Oliver. Keen. To be played by a young woman.

JACQUES – Gentlemen of ROSALIND’s father’s court. Shrewd. To be played by the same actor that plays CELIA.
  • PHEBE
    A shepherdess in the Forest of Arden. Incisive.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Genderfluid
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • ORLANDO
    A lord, married to ROSALIND. Artless. To be played by the same actor that plays PHEBE.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • ROSALIND
    A lady of the court, cousin of CELIA. Artful.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • SILVIUS
    A shepherd boy in Arden, married to PHEBE. Hungry. To be played by the same actor that plays ROSALIND.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • CELIA
    A lady of the court, cousin to ROSALIND, married to Oliver. Keen.
    20s-40s
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • JACQUES
    Gentlemen of ROSALIND’s father’s court. Shrewd. To be played by the same actor that plays CELIA
    20s-40s.
    Any
    Agender
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Women and Theatre Program , 2015

Production History

  • Community Theater, Outsiders Inn, 2021
  • Workshop, Terra Femina Collective, 2019
  • University, University of Kansas Theatre Department, 2015

Awards

  • Jane Chambers Student Playwriting Award
    Women and Theatre Program at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education
    Winner
    2015