Where there’s a Will, there’s a show

PREVIEW. Angela Smith has been pounding the pavement since graduating from Rowan University in 2007. The 24-year-old actress is trying to break into a tough biz, even here in Philly — not New York or Chicago, but still the third largest nonprofit theater market in the country.

That’s why Smith had to beat out some tough competition to work for free at the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre. Since 2005, PST has offered a free show as part of the season, using unpaid young thespians in all of the roles. This year’s freebie is “Henry IV, Part I,” and Smith landed the title role due to a gender-neutral concept.

There are 10 actors in the ensemble, all guided by veteran director David Stradley. “We’re breaking a lot of boundaries,” he says. “We’re all pretty funky people. We’re all brand new and ready to rock.”

‘Free Will: Henry IV, Part I’
Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, 2111 Sansom St.
Through Aug. 30
www.phillyshakespeare.org