If music be the food of love, play on! – Twelfth Night, Or What You Will, Act 1, Scene 1, Line 1

As a director, I have always enjoyed the opportunity to utilize music to assist in establishing mood, time period, themes, and so on. I do so with caution as I want our students to learn to utilize their voices to communicate the nuances of their roles and not depend on music to do it for them. However, I wanted to convey the fun of Twelfth Night to our audience members, especially those for whom the works of the Bard can be intimidating, and music was the best means to do so.

Music is where I began when I approached the direction of this show. Shakespeare intentionally added music – particularly in Twelfth Night – to communicate mood. In most cases, the characters personally request these songs to reflect their own spirits, needs, desires, and moods. Having taken part in five past productions, I knew the one direction I didn’t want to go, which was toward a melancholy tone; I wanted to elevate the fun and upbeat aspects of the text. Cuts in the script accomplished some of this, as did choosing a Mardi Gras theme for the setting and music. A major bonus came when we found we could hire jazz musicians to perform with the cast live.

New Orleans is a city of many diverse cultures, not unlike our student population here at Florida Atlantic, so we determined that Shakespeare’s Illyria could be similar. In making Illyria New Orleans-esque, the cast was free to bring in aspects of their own culture as well as play with various accents that interested them: Orsino speaks in a Louisiana Creole accent, Toby and Olivia with non-rhotic (soft -r) Southern accents, Andrew and Maria with rhotic (hard-r) Southern accents, Viola and Sebastian, who tend to sound more northern, British Malvolio, and so on.

Before cutting the script, I determined that I didn’t want to “modernize” Shakespeare but rather make it more accessible for our audiences who haven’t spent much time studying him; and the length needed trimming. (If three-hour productions are tricky for professional companies, they pose significant obstacles for students.) The first thing to go was a long, quite dark scene near the end of the play where a character is subjected to taunting and confinement that borders on torture. The trickier cuts were those ridding the script of titles such as Sir, Lady, Master, and Count while maintaining Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter. Shakespeare purists may be disheartened, and to them, I apologize.

What you see, I hope, is a production that draws you into the world of these characters written over 420 years ago. Please laugh at the cast’s antics, tap your feet to the music, or do “what you will” as you enjoy Twelfth Night.

-Kathryn L. Johnston

Valeria Illan (Festa) is a Venezuelan born actress in her third year of the BFA Musical Theatre program at FAU. Recent credits include A Chorus Line (Diana), Spring Awakening (Ilse), and Neighborhood 3 (Swing). She would like to thank her castmates, friends, and family for all the love!

Daniella Dara Coby (Fabia) is a senior in Musical Theatre Performance with a minor in Dance. Daniella loves singing, teaching dance, and creating content on social media. Daniella has appeared in recent semesters as Almeta in Violet , a dancer in Nutcracked and RDTE , Vicki/Chelsea in Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom , L ara in A Chorus Line, Thea in Spring Awakening , and Missy in 9 to 5.

Joel Rodriguez+ (Orsino “The Duke” - Owner of Duke's Place) is a second-year Dominican-American MFA Acting candidate from Kansas City, Missouri. He finds joy in composing, cooking, and reading about history. He’d like to thank his partner in life, Aubrey, for her endless support. Credits include Oscar in Sweat and Dr. Arnholm in Lady from the Sea . www.joelrodrig.com

Michelle “ Elle” White (Valentine) is a BFA Musical Theatre Performance senior at FAU. Credits include Spring Awakening (Martha Bessell), A Chorus Line (Frank), Sweat (Cynthia), Wonder of the World (Lois Coleman), RENT (Joanne u/s), Hairspray (Dynamite), Newsies (Seitz/Ensemble) and Sister Act (Ensemble). She’s grateful for her final FAU show!

Caitlin Foster+ (Viola - also disguised as “Cesario”) is a second-year MFA candidate. She received her BFA in Acting from the University of Florida. Recent FAU credits include: Violet (Violet), Neighborhood 3 (Gamemaster), and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Bernice). She is certified by the SAFD in rapier & dagger and unarmed combat.

Jenna Vece (Sea Captain/Minister) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theater major and is very excited to be in her first role in a FAU production! Previous credits include Wrinkle in Time (Mrs. Whatsit) and Everything (Little Girl/Time). She thanks everyone for their unending love and support.

Mitchell B. Mackenzie+ (Toby Belch) is an MFA Candidate from Sacramento, California. He last appeared in 9 to 5 as Franklin Hart Jr. here at FAU and is so excited to get to tackle Shakespeare in his last semester. He would like to thank his lovely fiancée Natalie for her unwavering support.

Trevor Gill (Andrew Aguecheek) is a BFA Performance major, and this is his fourth semester at FAU. He has been seen at FAU as "SKINHEADboy" in Polaroid Stories , "Tourist/Male U/S” in The Lady from the Sea , and he has been in a few student-directed shows and showcases. He is immensely grateful to work with this amazing cast!

Ana Calise+ (Maria) is a Portuguese-American actress, director, and writer. She graduated from NYU Tisch with a BFA in Drama. Ana spent numerous years after graduation working as an actor, director, and writer in NYC. FAU credits include: 9 to 5: The Musical (Judy), The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Elsa), Sweat (Tracey), Polaroid Stories (Philomel). www.anamariecalise.com

Shayna Gilberg+ (Olivia) is an MFA Acting Candidate, writer, and dramaturg from Tarpon Springs, FL. Recent Credits: 9 to 5 (Doralee), The Lady from the Sea (Bolette). She thanks her family, friends, and boyfriend, Forrest for their constant love and support.

Kyle Smith+ (Malvolio) is a second year MFA Performance candidate at FAU. BFA in Musical Theatre from Ohio Northern University. Professional: Vermont Shakespeare Company, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Pacific Conservatory Theatre and Oregon Cabaret Theatre. FAU: Monty- Violet , Orpheus- Polaroid Stories , Patrick O’Reilly- The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940 , Zach- A Chorus Line.

Quinlan Lowe (Sebastian) is a business major who is relatively new to the theatre scene. He has previously done Much Ado About Nothing , (Friar Francis) also by William Shakespeare. His dream job is working as a voice actor. He hopes you have a blast with this show.

India Isabella Johnson (Antonia) is a graduating senior BFA in Performance major. She has been seen in For Colored Girls… Enough (Lady in Orange)–the first all-black production in FAU history– and Lady Windermere’s Fan (Lady Plymdale). She gives glory to God, Jesus Christ, for all she has learned here.

Molly Brinn (Stage Manager) is a senior at FAU. While not her first-time stage managing a production, this is her first FAU show. (You may even see her again this summer.) She has had so much fun watching the show come together and knows you will have a blast.

Cate Gonzalez (Assistant Stage Manager) is in her second year as a BFA Musical Theatre major. She recently was one of the assistant stage managers for 9 to 5 the Musical. Other acting credits include Wendla U/S and Ensemble in Spring Awakening, Jack's Mother in Into the Woods, and Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing. She is incredibly thankful she had the chance to work with such an amazing cast!

Courtney Godfrey (Props Crew) is a freshman at FAU. She is a B.A student and this will be her first time handling props.Courtney is thrilled to be given the opportunity to work this position.

Amalia Phend (Hair and Makeup Design) is a second year student in the BFA Theatre Design and Technology program. You may have seen Amalia’s work this past semester, as Costume Designer for BUTC’s Spring Awakening. Enjoy the show!

Toni Turiano (Dresser) is a third-year BFA Musical Theatre major. You may have recently seen her as Roz in 9 to 5! Toni also writes sketch comedy, teaches improv and is the President of Alpha Psi Omega. Enjoy the show!

Casline Saint (Dresser) Hilaire is a senior BA Theatre major and is excited to be a part of her first crewing production at FAU. She was an usher for The Wolves, The Lady from The Sea, and 9 to 5. She hopes this production brings you closer to Theatre and hope you enjoy this wonderful art.

Anna-Teressa Soto-Andujar (Assistant Costume Designer) is in her fourth and final year of University, graduating this summer with a BA in Theater and a double minor in Film/Video and Photography. Last semester she was Assistant Stage Manager for FAU’s Lady From The Sea and Wardrobe Supervisor for FAU’s show 9 to 5. She has also worked with Broadway Company Aurora Productions as their Wardrobe Supervisor for The Tempest. She thanks her love, her family, and her amazing teachers.

Fatima Lyda (Dresser) is a sophomore BA with a focus in Design/Tech and excited to be part of her first production at FAU. She has previously worked on Dearly Departed and Twelfth Night under costumes at PBSC. She hopes you love the show.

Colleen Goropeuschek (Run Crew) is a BFA Design & Technology transfer student focusing on carpentry and technical direction. She is thrilled to be crewing her first show while at FAU.

Kai Kaufman (Wardrobe Head) is a senior BA in Theatre Studies and is honored to be backstage for their last production at FAU. Other notable backstage roles that they've completed at FAU include, but are not limited to, Assistant Costume Designer for 9 to 5 and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Wardrobe Head for RENT and Richard III. They hope you enjoy the show!

Tina Daughtry (Crew) Is in her last semester here. She is graduating with a communications degree and a theater degree. You saw her in the Florida Atlantic show of 9 to 5. She thanks everyone involved in her college career. Stay QuarenTINA. "Time to make My dream become a reality. " RED!