Veteran theatre director Bill Alexander's book on Shakespeare in the rehearsal room, published by Nick Hern Books, has been shortlisted for the 2024 Theatre Book Prize.

Exploring Shakespeare: A Director's Notes from the Rehearsal Room joins titles by Dame Judi Dench, Michael Ball and Richard Pilbrow in contention for the prestigious prize, which is awarded annually by the Society for Theatre Research to encourage the writing and publication of books on British-related theatre history and practice.

In the book, Alexander takes us inside the rehearsal room to reveal – in unprecedented detail – exactly what happens there. He examines the key relationship between the actors and the director, how they work together to bring Shakespeare's vision to life, and how choices are made that will shape every aspect of the play in production. There are detailed studies of eight plays spanning the full length and breadth of the Shakespearean canon.

The winner will be announced on 11 June at a reception at Sadler's Wells Theatre.