Laura Rocklyn
History At Play & Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
Actor, Playwright, Dramaturge, Screenwriter and Researcher
Boston, Massachusetts
July 2012
> 2 weeks ago
1
About Laura
Laura Rocklyn is an actress, writer, and first person historical interpreter based in Boston, MA. She has performed with regional theater companies across the country, including Folger Theatre, Round House Theatre, Classic Theatre of Maryland, History At Play, and Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. She has been seen on TV in "Legends & Lies:The Patriots" and on "Investigation Discovery: Southern Fried Homicide."
Laura writes and performs historic character portrayals for educational groups up and down the East Coast. Her one-woman play "Charlotte Brontë: To Do More & Better Things" was presented as part of the North American Friends of Chawton House 2021 Speaker Subscription Series, and her original short play "Emma is Presented in Washington City" was performed as the curtain raiser for the Jane Austen Society of North America 2016 Annual General Meeting.
Laura has published articles in “Brontë Studies” and “The Revere Express”. She was the winner of the “LitMag” 2021 Virginia Woolf Award for short fiction, and her stories have appeared in the literary journals “Stork” and “New Square.”
Laura holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, and an MFA from The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting at The George Washington University.
Badges
Links
Credits
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The Book of Will (
2023 )
Theater by The Hub Theatre Company of Boston/Bryn Boice Rebecca Heminges/Anne Hathaway With a legacy on the line- it’s publish or perish! Shakespeare is only three years dead – and already the London stage is littered with badly botched Hamlets, ripped-off Romeos, and plagiarized Pericles. With the clock ticking, his comrades in art must band together to outwit an embezzling publisher, a drunk poet laureate, and their own mortality as they race to publish Shakespeare’s masterpieces and preserve his memory. Replete with history, hijinks, and Shakespeare’s greatest hits, this tale of the First Folio sheds new light on a man and a legacy you thought you knew. -
The Learned Ladies (
2023 )
Theater by Classic Theatre of Maryland/Donald Hicken Philaminte This classic by Moliére is one of his most popular comedies and the last of his great plays in verse. In a satire of academic pretension and bourgeois preciosity, can true love prevail? -
Nevermore: The Fantastic Terrors of Edgar Allan Poe (
2021 )
Theater by ClockJack Productions/P.J. Griffith (Horror) Signora Psyche Zenobia The short stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe come alive outside the buildings of Old Sturbridge Village, as told by the characters who have just witnessed them occur. At six different locations throughout the Village, tales of horror, revenge, obsession, and deception will be repeated in pulsating rhythm…like the beat of a heart. -
FairyTale Farm (
2021 )
Theater by ClockJack Productions/P.J. Griffith (Comedy) Goldie/Granny Lil Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island and The Freeman Farm at Old Sturbridge Village are transformed into Fairy Tale Farm in July and August 2021. Guests are transported into an enchanted countryside where they’ll meet characters from several beloved fairy tales, all now living beside each other on a farm full of surprises. Each character steps out of their home for the first time in a while; from “real-boy” Pinocchio, to a recently-awakened beautiful princess-turned-influencer, to Little Red Riding Hood’s once-devoured grandmother, to an entrepreneurial Goldilocks and her fiancé Baby Bear, to a quarantine-frustrated Hansel and Gretel, to a self-aware third Little Pig. Map in hand, guests have the freedom to explore as the sun goes down on this enchanted farm. Hilarity ensues as characters we thought we’ve known since childhood finally decide to get real. -
Cato & Dolly (
2021 )
Theater by History At Play/Judith Kalaora Dolly Hancock This new play by Patrick Gabridge reveals life in a Governor's mansion through the experiences of those who live there: Dolly Quincy Hancock, a Boston Brahmin and First Lady of Massachusetts, and Cato, an enslaved person of color, in the Hancock Household. "Cato & Dolly" breathes life into their legacies, as well as other Revolutionary-era figures, whose lives intersect at the Hancock House over the course of 50 years (1764-1816). The performance features influential and often forgotten figures, as they live through late Colonial America’s most pivotal events, inspiring new perspectives for an American narrative. -
How Long Must We Wait? (
2020 )
Theater by History at Play/Judith Kalaora Angelina Grimke "How Long Must We Wait?" is History at Play's original performance art piece chronicling 100 years of suffrage history. I play the part of leading Abolitionist and Suffragist Angelina Grimke, along with other ensemble roles. -
4D Bacons Rebellion Theater (
2018 - 2020 )
Film (short) by Cortina Productions/Brent Feito Sarah Grendon I portrayed Sarah Grendon, one of the conspirators behind Bacons Rebellion, in this short film that is part of a 4D visitor experience in the museum at Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg, Virginia that explores the history behind this historic event. -
I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone (
2020 )
Theater by History At Play/Judith Kalaora Lucy Stone Challenging discrimination is not easy, but Lucy Stone is never one to take the easy road. The first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree, Lucy defies every obstacle and is an ardent supporter of human rights. Always fierce, her belief that women and men be equal is evident in both her political and personal endeavors. Her message inspired thousands of women to join the suffrage movement; Susan B. Anthony credits Lucy's impassioned speeches for her involvement. In this fiery presentation, Lucy describes the tension of Antebellum Boston. Her discussion touches on the gender caste system and also encompasses the fierce abolitionist movement. Women were evolving from successful abolitionists to struggling suffragists! Their fight was ferocious, so come along for the ride! Suitable for all ages. Running Time: Approx. 60 minutes. -
Pride & Prejudice (
2019 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company/Sally Boyett Elizabeth Bennet I was delighted to have the opportunity to play Lizzie Bennet, one of my dream roles, in Annapolis Shakespeare Company's 2019 production of Jane Austen's beloved story "Pride & Prejudice," adapted by Jon Jory. -
Chocolate in George Washington's America (
2018 )
Hosting by Mount Vernon New Media Host This is a short educational video I hosted for George Washington's Mount Vernon that explores the history of chocolate in the 18th century! -
Red Velvet (
2018 )
Theater by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Ellen Tree In this critically acclaimed biographical play, the Shakespearean actor from New York is remembered for his achievements on the bittersweet road to international superstardom more than 150 years ago. Red Velvet takes you backstage to witness the drama as Aldridge prepares for his history-making performance of Othello in London in 1833. How with the cast and the public react? Laura won the 2018 BroadwayWorld Baltimore Award for Best Actress for her performance in this role. -
Clover (
2017 )
Theater by Ally Theatre Company Clover Adams/Playwright A new full-length play that explores the life of Gilded Age Washington socialite Clover Adams. Clover dives into the political and social scene upon arriving in DC, however, while coping with her beloved father’s death and the possible philandering of her husband, the darker forces that brew through her family line finally catch Clover in their grasp. -
Alice and the Book of Wonderland (
2017 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company Alice I was thrilled to play one of my dream roles in the world premier production of Annapolis Shakespeare Company's new adaptation of this Lewis Carroll classic. -
Legends & Lies (
2015 - 2016 )
Television by Kevin R. Hershberger (History) Abigail Adams Profiles of notable figures in American history, through dramatic re-enactments, interviews with descendants and historians, and archival photographs. -
Twelfth Night (
2016 )
Theater by Quill Theatre Viola Quill Theatre set this outdoor summer production of "Twelfth Night" in the Roaring 20s! -
A Midsummer Night's Dream (
2016 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare/Donald Hicken Hermia I played Hermia in Annapolis Shakespeare's stunning outdoor production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the gardens of the historic Charles Carroll House in Annapolis, Maryland. -
The Most Haunted Houses (
2016 )
Voice-over by Washington Walks Clover Adams This was a brief promotional video for Washington Walks' "The Most Haunted Houses: The Original D.C. Ghost Tour," a walking tour. Book yours by visiting: www.washingtonwalks.com -
Sense & Sensibility (
2016 )
Theater by The Folger Theatre Elinor Dashwood u/s -
Portrait (
2015 )
Film (short) by Twelve14 Seth's Agent Reclusive artist Seth is unsure of how to woo the beautiful Katrina when they meet at a gallery exhibit of his work. Director: Mark Jason Welch Cinematography: Srikanth Nandigama Editor: Kerry King/ kaykimedia.com Written by Mark Jason Welch -
Sense & Sensibility (
2015 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company Marianne Dashwood -
The Servant of Two Masters (
2015 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company Beatrice Rasponi -
Two Gentlemen of Verona (
2015 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company (Comedy) Silvia -
A Tale of Two Cities (
2015 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company Lucie Mannette -
The Amazing Birth (
2014 )
Film (short) by DC Dogs/Jonathan Zuck Spoon (Principal) Back in November 2014, DC Dogs participated in the Speakeasy Shorts competition, which paired filmmakers with storytellers to create a film in 5 days. Our story came from Jenny Splitter, who shared her experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, peer pressure and, above all, the notion that life is far more precious than the latest fad. The Dogs decided to take these life lessons to the extreme and mix in a little parody of the “reality” TV our society has so overwhelmingly embraced. The Amazing Race is in it’s 26th season! Scary. Is this a comedy or a horror film? You decide! -
A Christmas Carol (
2014 )
Theater by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company The Ghost of Christmas Past -
She Stoops to Conquer (
2014 )
Theater by Pallas Theatre Collective Kate Hardcastle -
The Schemings of Scapin (
2014 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company Zerbinette -
Richard III (
2014 )
Theater by Richmond Shakespeare Festival Lady Anne -
The Broken Continent (
2013 )
Series by Francis Abbey Woman of the Wood First of three pilot episodes of a new fantasy web series, produced by Ciscovaras Pictures, Team Jabberwocky and Cavegirl Productions. Eadwyn Redway, King of the Heart and the Blade, must confront a faction of rebel lords who oppose his quest to unite the Five Shards of Elyrion. -
Tartuffe (
2013 )
Theater by Annapolis Shakespeare Company Dorine/Elmire -
Dracula (
2013 )
Theater by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Miss Wells -
A Midsummer Night's Dream (
2013 )
Theater by Baltimore Shakespeare Factory Titania -
Henry VI, Parts 1-3 (
2013 )
Theater by Adirondack Shakespeare Company Bona, Rutland, John Talbot and others -
As You Like It (
2013 )
Theater by Oxford Shakespeare Company Celia -
Hamlet (
2013 )
Theater by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Ophelia
Awards
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"LitMag's" Virginia Woolf Award for Short Fiction
(2021) -
Best Actress Award from BroadwayWorld Baltimore for the role of Ellen Tree in "Red Velvet"
(2018) -
Helen Hayes Recommended for Annapolis Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
(2015) -
Helen Hayes Recommended for Annapolis Shakespeare's "A Tale of Two Cities"
(2015) -
Helen Hayes Recommended for Annapolis Shakespeare's "Servant of Two Masters"
(2015) -
Helen Hayes Recommended for Round House Theatre's "Pride & Prejudice"
(2011)
Education
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Emerson College
(2018-2021) -
George Washington University
(2009-2010) -
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London, UK)
(2005-2005) -
Middlebury College
(2000-2004)
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