Will on the Hill
Will on the Hill is celebrating its 20th year anniversary with a return to an in-person performance on the Sidney Harman Hall stage! Join Members of Congress, some of Washington’s most dramatic residents themselves, in celebrating the work of William Shakespeare in one of Washington’s most anticipated bipartisan events of the year.
This joyous and bipartisan evening of the Bard’s best take on power and politics raises money to support the theatre’s arts education and engagement programs, which reach students and community members at home, at school, online, and in our theatres.
This joyous and bipartisan evening of the Bard’s best take on power and politics raises money to support the theatre’s arts education and engagement programs, which reach students and community members at home, at school, online, and in our theatres.
Can’t join us in person, but still want to support STC’s arts education and engagement programming? Browse the Virtual Silent Auction and bid on exciting trips, concert tickets, signed sports memorabilia, exquisite jewelry, fine wine and spirits, and more!
Check out the fun from last year’s Virtual Will on the Hill:
Check out the fun from last year’s Virtual Will on the Hill:
Single tickets include access to the post-show reception with cast and include access to the post-show reception for performers and audiences.
Sponsorships start at $2,500 and include access to a VIP pre-show reception with cast members.* To confirm sponsorship, email WOTH@ShakespeareTheatre.org.
Members of Congress or staff interested in participating, please email WOTH@ShakespeareTheatre.org.
*Please note: Invitations to the VIP pre-show reception are based on sponsorship level.
Sponsorships start at $2,500 and include access to a VIP pre-show reception with cast members.* To confirm sponsorship, email WOTH@ShakespeareTheatre.org.
Members of Congress or staff interested in participating, please email WOTH@ShakespeareTheatre.org.
*Please note: Invitations to the VIP pre-show reception are based on sponsorship level.
Participants
Playwright, actor, and author Nat Cassidy (Any Day Now, Steal the Stars) returns to STC with another delightfully witty script directed by STC’s Senior Director of Engagement and Education Samantha Wyer Bello. The evening’s performance will also feature students from D.C.’s own Charles H. Flowers High School.
This year’s show explores just what the Bard has been up to during the recent pandemic. Shakespeare himself will grace the stage to share snippets of his next masterpiece (he wrote King Lear during a pandemic, after all). STC is delighted to welcome back Justin Guarini (Once Upon a One More Time) in the role of William Shakespeare.
Our illustrious cast of characters will include a few more recognizable faces from a nearby Hill: Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney(D-NY), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz (D-FL), Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), and Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA). The cast will also include CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash, former Chief of Staff at the Central Intelligence Agency and NBC/MSNBC National Security Analyst Jeremy Bash, and Grover Norquist with Americans for Tax Reform.
All cast members are subject to change.
About
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Will on the Hill benefit each spring welcomes Members of Congress and Washington influencers onto the Company’s stage to perform scenes from Shakespeare—infused with comedic references to contemporary politics.
Will on the Hill pays tribute to the unique dynamic of our city and provides a wonderful way to engage new audiences and support Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic, education and community outreach programs.
“Each spring, members of Congress and the media are invited to show off their acting skills (or lack thereof). To play or not to play, that is the question.”
–NBC Washington
“I would suggest putting “Will on The Hill” on your calendar for next May if you want to enjoy a fun night in the theater, see members of Congress act silly intentionally, and help bring Shakespeare to the young people of greater Washington.”
–Washington Blade
History
2018 Cast
The Will on the Hill cast of 2018 was anchored by Ken Clark and Heath Saunders from Broadway’s Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 and STC favorite Victoria Frings (The School for Lies). The original script My Kingdom for a Farce was written by Michael Trottier, with assistance from West Wing Writers, and directed by Craig Baldwin. Additional cast members included Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform), Dana Bash (Chief Political Correspondent, CNN) and U.S. Representatives including Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) among others.
2017 Cast
2017 Cast
The Will on the Hill cast of 2017 was anchored by Tony-nominated actor Santino Fontana (Cinderella, Frozen), Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock, Weeds), Ian Kahn (TURN: Washington’s Spies) and D.C.-native Emily Swallow (The Mentalist). The original script Met by Moonlight was written by Peter Byrne, with assistance from West Wing Writers, and directed by Alan Paul. 40 lawmakers and notable Washington influencers performed, including U.S. Secretary of the Interior The Honorable Ryan Zinke, Senator Chris Coons, The Honorable Kim Darroch (British Ambassador to the United States), Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform) and many U.S. Representatives including Reps. George Holding, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Gerry Connolly and Daniel M. Donovan.
2016 Cast
2016 Cast
The Will on the Hill cast of 2016 was anchored by Emmy Award Winning Actor Reg E. Cathey (House of Cards) and DC favorites Tom Story and Felicia Curry. “Heavy Lies the Head,” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Alan Paul, the cast was rounded out by Senator Chris Coons, The Honorable Kim Darroch (British Ambassador to the United States), Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform) and Michael Steele (MSNBC)and nearly twenty U.S. Representatives including Reps. Jim McDermott, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Michael Turner and Ann Wagner.
2022 Sponsors
Lead Sponsors
Party Whip
Ranking Member
Bernard and Mary McKay
Stephen and Lisa Ryan
Freshman Member
Eversheds Sutherland LLP
Forbes Tate Partners
Lynn and Jonathan Yarowsky
Motion Picture Association of America
Nissan North America, Inc.
Prudential Financial
Chief of Staff
AT&T Services, Inc.
BP America
Karishma and Jonathan Page
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Nick and Marla Allard
The BGR Foundation, Inc.
Valero
Legislative Aide
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
Capitol Tax Partners
Comcast NBCUniversal
EY
Insured Retirement Institute
National Association of Realtors
National Multifamily Housing Council
Southern Company
Congressional Media Sponsor
Eversheds Sutherland LLP
Forbes Tate Partners
Lynn and Jonathan Yarowsky
Motion Picture Association of America
Nissan North America, Inc.
Prudential Financial
Chief of Staff
AT&T Services, Inc.
BP America
Karishma and Jonathan Page
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Nick and Marla Allard
The BGR Foundation, Inc.
Valero
Legislative Aide
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
Capitol Tax Partners
Comcast NBCUniversal
EY
Insured Retirement Institute
National Association of Realtors
National Multifamily Housing Council
Southern Company
Congressional Media Sponsor
Steering Committee
Nichole Francis Reynolds Co-Chair
ServiceNow
Gail MacKinnon Co-Chair
Motion Picture Association
Karishma Page Co-Chair
K&L Gates LLP
Vin Roberti Co-Chair
Roberti Global
Nick Allard Past Chairman
Dentons
Michael Bahar
Eversheds Sutherland LLP
Carol Danko
Prudential Financial
Gloria Dittus
Story Partners
Monica Dixon
Monumental Sports & Entertainment
W. Michael House Past Chairman
Oak Grove Strategies
Jennifer Kane
Altria Group, Inc
Bernie McKay Past Chairman
Intuit, Inc. (ret.)
Steve Ryan Past Chairman
Attorney
June Silverberg
Silverberg Associates
Emily Weems
Capital One
Jonathan Yarowsky
WilmerHale