Will Cohn Makes His Mark in 'Othello'

Westport's Will Cohn wrapped up his first production of Shakespeare on the Sound's Othello last week and will resume his role as "Boy" when the show re-opens in Greenwich on Friday.

Cohn, 15, was among 40 young men who tried out for the role. His casting, he explains, was a lucky break.

"Initially, I was not picked to be in the Othello," he said. "I was going to work with the production as an apprentice. But, when the actor who was originally hired was unable to keep his commitment, I was asked to take on the role."

Joanna Settle, artistic director of Shakespeare on the Sound, said she made the right decision in casting the young Westporter.  

"Will is an extremely driven and curious young artist who brings great care to his work and the consideration of his colleagues," she said.  "It was immediately apparent that he was a young actor ready for the challenge of a professional production, and also a person who would be wonderful to have around.  

"Will is absolutely holding his own out there with actors who have been working at our leading national theaters for years," she added. "He's been in every way a wonderful person to have as a member of our company.  I expect great things from him."

Othello first played at Rowayton's Pinkney Park from June 15-26. Those performances allowed learning opportunities that Cohn looks forward to using in Greenwich.

"I learn something with every performance that I do," he said. "I am taking from everyone I work with and absorbing everything I can. I really admire and look up to all of the cast members on this production."

In his role as "Boy," Cohn reports he has a fair amount of time on stage. "In this production of Othello, Joanna cut the chorus and combined them into my character," he said. "I play an orphan who is taken under the wing of the soldiers. In some scenes, I am not speaking, but I am observing.  I witness things from the second level. The 'Boy' sees it all."

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.,  July 2-11, at  Baldwin Park, 100 Arch St., Greenwich. There are no shows on Mondays. Attendance is free, but donations are requested.

While this performance is Cohn's first professional role, he has performed in community theater productions. His favorite roles include Denby in Ice Glen at Westport Community Theatre and Peter Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank at Curtain Call in Stamford.

His Shakespearean roles include Mariner in The Tempest at Curtain Call and  Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Richmond in Richard III, and Goldsmith in The Comedy of Errors at SUNY Purchase College Shakespeare Youth.

A sophomore at Staples High School, he is a  member of Staples Players. His TV credits include Personal Justice on Discovery Investigation. He has trained at Stella Adler, HB Studios and Purchase College Shakespeare Youth.

His first performance was in a school production of Charlotte's Web when he was in third grade. During his performance in Richard III he realized that acting is his passion.

"Acting is what I want to do," he said. "I plan to make it work for me."

He hopes ultimately to study at Julliard.