Purdue Department of Theatre to present William Shakespeare’s 'Twelfth Night'

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Department of Theatre is pleased to present William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” directed by Kristine Holtvedt, professor of acting and coordinator of performance. This production will be presented both in-person as well as through livestream and digital recordings Feb. 18-27 at the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre in Pao Hall in the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance.

As part of Protect Purdue protocols to keep the campus community safe, face masks are required inside all Purdue buildings regardless of vaccination status. The opening performance is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, followed by live evening performances and digital recordings at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19, 24, 25 and 26 and matinees at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20 and 27.

The livestream for “Twelfth Night” will be created using a three-camera setup similar to the 2020-21 season, to be led by Rich Dionne, associate professor of practice and production manager in theatre, with captioning available in all digital formats.

This poignant comedy explores themes of belonging and transformation. When twins Sebastian and Viola are separated following a shipwreck, neither knows that the other is alive. Disguising herself as a young man in order to survive, Viola goes into service for Count Orsino and is sent to woo the Lady Olivia on his behalf. But Olivia falls for Viola instead, while Viola herself has fallen for Orsino. Shakespearean shenanigans ensue: “Twelfth Night” contains all the mistaken identities, gender play, joyful discovery and love that one could hope for from the Bard.

The scenic design is by Sydney Hagen (MFA scenic design ’24), lighting design by Hannah Grace Harper (MFA Lighting Design ’24), costume design by Mae Berg (MFA costume design ’24) and sound design by Tyler Berg (MFA sound design ’24).

Tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 765-494-3933 or at the Loeb Playhouse box office in Stewart Center, 128 Memorial Mall, on Purdue’s campus. The box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and tickets are $19.50 for adults, $15.50 for adults 62 and over, and $12.50 for students. 

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last four years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/. 

Source: Megan Sloan, marketing and outreach specialist for the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance, msloan@purdue.edu