Boy My Greatness

by Zoe Senese-Grossberg

What happened to the boys who played Shakespeare's women? In the summer of 1606, six boy players warm up, run lines, gossip, and fall in and out of love all in between rehearsals for the premieres of Antony and Cleopatra and Twelfth Night. As the plague and rising religious conservatism threaten their way of life, they are all forced to reconsider their futures on the stage.

What happened to the boys who played Shakespeare's women? In the summer of 1606, six boy players warm up, run lines, gossip, and fall in and out of love all in between rehearsals for the premieres of Antony and Cleopatra and Twelfth Night. As the plague and rising religious conservatism threaten their way of life, they are all forced to reconsider their futures on the stage.

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Boy My Greatness

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Boy My Greatness by Zoe Senese-Grossberg
    “

    This is a beautiful period piece that also feel so very relevant. It's not hard to see the connection between what is happening here and out own plague that directly impacted the arts. This is a play about the love of acting. I loved how the play explores the tenderness and passion between men in such a nuanced way. I love how gender expansive casting for this is. This is the kind of play that can breed empathy for those outside of the gender binary. This should be a staple for all Shakespeare focused companies.

    This is a beautiful period piece that also feel so very relevant. It's not hard to see the connection between what is happening here and out own plague that directly impacted the arts. This is a play about the love of acting. I loved how the play explores the tenderness and passion between men in such a nuanced way. I love how gender expansive casting for this is. This is the kind of play that can breed empathy for those outside of the gender binary. This should be a staple for all Shakespeare focused companies.

    ”
  • Charlotte Arnoux: Boy My Greatness by Zoe Senese-Grossberg
    “

    I can’t stop thinking about this script. The way it teeters between laugh-out-loud comedy and a raw, empathetic look at the struggles (historically real or imagined) of these boys is remarkable. Any actor would be lucky to dive into such richly conflicted, deeply human characters.

    I can’t stop thinking about this script. The way it teeters between laugh-out-loud comedy and a raw, empathetic look at the struggles (historically real or imagined) of these boys is remarkable. Any actor would be lucky to dive into such richly conflicted, deeply human characters.

    ”
  • C M: Boy My Greatness by Zoe Senese-Grossberg
    “

    this goes so hard. big fan of this play it's really good

    this goes so hard. big fan of this play it's really good

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

Anyone of any gender can play any role and probably should. Be conscious within this freedom, though. Consider what you are afraid to put onstage.
  • Thomas "Tom" Reade
    A boy player about to debut the role of Cleopatra, which will be his final female role. A self described legend of the stage, he is the Globe's current leading lady and specializes in playing great dames (Lady Macbeth, Volumnia, Gertrude). He is terrified about transitioning to male roles.
    22
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • Robert "Robin" Howard
    A boy player (formerly of a children's company) about to debut at the Globe playing Octavia in Antony and Cleopatra and Maria in 12th Night. He is well trained and precocious (think Baby June in Gypsy, the girls on Dance Moms, or Macaulay Culkin) and knows he will be the Globe's next star.
    12
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
  • Samuel Clark
    A former boy player of great talent who originated the role of Rosalind in As You Like It. He is now a Puritan preacher seeking to close the theaters. He is stuck up and fanatical but has not lost his love for drama. Has a complicated past with Tom.
    22
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • John Sharpe
    A former boy player, he played leads as a woman but is now in smaller parts, currently debuting the role of Orsino in Twelfth Night. He is a married man with children who trains the younger boys. Robin is his apprentice and he is a bit of a stage mom to him. Sings and plays lute (or any similar simple stringed instrument).
    30
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
  • Henry "Hal" Fletcher
    A boy player about to debut the role of Olivia in Twelfth Night. He is a decent, but not especially talented actor and is becoming aware that he will not be able to play most leading male roles due to his natural effeminacy. He is increasingly threatened by the masculinity of Harry (his lover and best friend).
    17
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • Henry "Harry" Lawes
    A boy player about to debut the role of Viola in Twelfth Night. He is a decent, but not outstanding actor who has already taken on some minor male roles. He is coming into both his masculinity and his sexuality in a way that threatens his lover and best friend, Hal.
    17
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s

Production History

  • Community Theater, Loud Fridge Theatre Group, 2026
  • Community Theater, Advice To The Players, 2025
  • University, Lost Flamingo Theatre Company at Ohio University, 2025
  • University, University of Central Oklahoma, 2025
  • Professional, The Firebird Project, 2024
  • University, Dartfrog Theatre, SUNY Corning Community College, 2024