WHAT YOU WILL

The origins of What You Will began in London, at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where several of our team members studied the intricacies of Shakespeare. This group then converged to bring this fantastic idea to life.

How do Shakespeare’s characters feel being trapped in theatrical limbo for hundreds of years? To be at the beck and call of any actor that continues to summon them must be challenegeing. To relive your most tragic moments, year after year after year with no alternate ending in sight. What would happen if they could confront their creator? What would they say? What would they do if they were let loose in modern day LA?

This production begins with a love story. The love of William Shakespeare, ‘tis a mad affair, one which I was not privy until recently. During lock-down of late 2020 a group of Shakespeare aficionados gathered on a rooftop in Venice to read some plays. During this time an idea struck us, why don’t we use this time to create a new, re-imagined story of Shakespeare here in modern day LA.

Thus, What You Will was born. Ideas by several friends and actors were distilled onto the page by Sophia Khan, and the idea of a modern day summoning of Shakespearean characters was born! What You will is a episodic pilot, the premise: What happens when five modern day Los Angelenos are unknowingly possessed by the five disgruntled Shakespearean characters? Mayhem, of course!

This project became my first as a producer and actor, over the course of a year I got a real world crash course in the realities, the highs and lows of movie making magic. From concept to final cut I helped to champion this project into the world with a trusted team of creatives that poured their heart and soul into making this story a reality. Directed by Ryan Cargill.

From beginning to end this project brought challenges and opportunities alike. To grow, to laugh and to cry. Looking back on this project, I’m incredibly proud of it. What You Will taught me so much about the creative process, how to honor the story and honor myself as an artist and leader. It was a comedy & tragedy all rolled into one.

In the end, this is just the beginning. I have many more projects ahead of me, and What You Will laid the groundwork and gave me the foundational experience that I will bring with me to every other set I am lucky enough to work on.

If you feel so inspired, please help us make the rest of this incredible series. Go to WYWfilm.com for more information! Thank you very much, and may the Bard be with you!