The Secret Muse

by Mark Evan Chimsky

In “The Secret Muse,” three figures from history reveal their untold stories: Ned Shakespeare, who first originated the role of Juliet in 1595; Ned’s brother, the playwright William Shakespeare; and the woman who changed both their lives. After more than 425 years, they set the record straight and as they recollect their shared past, new and unexpected truths emerge. This one-act play had its world premiere in a...

In “The Secret Muse,” three figures from history reveal their untold stories: Ned Shakespeare, who first originated the role of Juliet in 1595; Ned’s brother, the playwright William Shakespeare; and the woman who changed both their lives. After more than 425 years, they set the record straight and as they recollect their shared past, new and unexpected truths emerge. This one-act play had its world premiere in a staged reading at the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival in July 2024.

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The Secret Muse

Recommended by

  • Monica Cross: The Secret Muse by Mark Evan Chimsky
    “

    I had the honor of being the dramaturg on the staged reading of THE SECRET MUSE at Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival in 2024.

    Mark Evan Chimsky has given us a moment in history to imagine the queer experiences we don't have records of. Infused with so much historical detail that we do know, this monologue cycle feels very real and raw and immediate (even though the characters are speaking from the afterlife).

    The role of Ned is much needed part for AMAB trans actors.

    I had the honor of being the dramaturg on the staged reading of THE SECRET MUSE at Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival in 2024.

    Mark Evan Chimsky has given us a moment in history to imagine the queer experiences we don't have records of. Infused with so much historical detail that we do know, this monologue cycle feels very real and raw and immediate (even though the characters are speaking from the afterlife).

    The role of Ned is much needed part for AMAB trans actors.

    ”
  • Chase D. Fowler: The Secret Muse by Mark Evan Chimsky
    “

    I had the remarkable privilege to see the premiere of this play at Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival during their 2024 season and I was blown away. As a non-binary Shakespeare actor/director, this piece spoke to me in many, many ways and I cannot wait to see it up on its feet in a fully staged production. This would be the perfect small cast show to be in rep for any theatre company doing Shakespeare!

    I had the remarkable privilege to see the premiere of this play at Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival during their 2024 season and I was blown away. As a non-binary Shakespeare actor/director, this piece spoke to me in many, many ways and I cannot wait to see it up on its feet in a fully staged production. This would be the perfect small cast show to be in rep for any theatre company doing Shakespeare!

    ”

Character Information

NED SHAKESPEARE, 27 years old. William Shakespeare’s younger brother who originated some of the playwright’s most iconic female roles at a time when only boy actors were allowed to play women on the stages of London.

M., 26 years old. The woman who worked in a tavern and fell in love with Ned at a performance of “Romeo and Juliet.”

WILL SHAKESPEARE, 52 years old. Considered by many the greatest playwright of any age but many details of his life are not actually known at all, perhaps by choice.
  • WILL SHAKESPEARE
    WILL is onsidered by many the greatest playwright of any age but many details of his life are not actually known at all, perhaps by choice.
    52
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • NED SHAKESPEARE
    NED is William Shakespeare’s younger brother who originated some of the playwright’s most iconic female roles at a time when only boy actors were allowed to play women on the stages of London.
    27
    Any
    non binary Assigned Male At Birth,
    Transgender Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • M.
    M. is 26 years old. She worked in a tavern and fell in love with Ned at a performance of “Romeo and Juliet.”
    26
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Production History

  • Professional, Staged reading at the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival, 2024