School of Stage and Screen presenting Shakespeare comedy classic
Students and faculty from Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen will present one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies, “Twelfth Night,” beginning Thursday, Feb. 14, and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 17, at the university’s Hoey Auditorium.
Shows are set for 7:30 Feb. 14 through Saturday, Feb. 16, with a concluding performance
scheduled for 3 p.m. Feb. 17.
A tale of spurned love, mistaken identities and mischievous pranks, “Twelfth Night” (or “What You Will”) is believed to have been written around 1601-02 and has been popular with audiences for more than 400 years. When Viola and her brother are shipwrecked and separated off the coast of Illyria, Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario to protect herself and gain favor with Duke Orsino, the ruler of Illyria. Orsino befriends “Cesario” and sends him/her to deliver his hopeful love message to the beautiful Olivia, who is rejecting advances while she is in mourning over the deaths of her father and brother. But Olivia takes a fancy for “Cesario” instead. And Viola, in her disguise, already has fallen in love with Duke Orsino.
The all-student cast includes Callista Brown as Viola, Joshua Carper as Sebastian, Lauren Hunkele as Antonio, Adam King as Duke Orsino, Kelsey Willard as Olivia, and Katelin Fitts as Maria. The director is Colin Wasmund, assistant professor of theatre, and a student, Ashani Smith, will serve as assistant director.
“Twelfth Night,” part of the School of Stage and Screen’s Mainstage theatre season, is recommended for all ages.
Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors, and WCU faculty and staff; and $10 for students and children. To purchase tickets, visit the box office of the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center or call the box office at 828-227-2479.
