Jax State’s The Shakespeare Project to Present Twelfth Night

01/08/2025

Free Performances for the Community and Schools Celebrate Beloved Shakespearean Comedy 

 

Twelfth Night PosterJACKSONVILLE – The Shakespeare Project (TSP), part of Jacksonville State University’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, will present William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on January 18-19 and 24-25 at Stone Center’s Carlton Ward Mainstage. The production will be presented in loving memory of long-time supporter Josephine E. Ayers. Shows on Jan. 18 and 24 will begin at 7 p.m., with the Jan. 19 and 25 shows starting at 2 p.m. 

Abridged and directed by TSP co-founder Emily Duncan, the performance runs 90 minutes and is set in 1915 New Orleans—during the early days of jazz, before women had the right to vote, and shortly after a devastating hurricane. One of Shakespeare's popular comedies woven with music and revelry throughout, Twelfth Night is free to the public and schools thanks to generous support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Knox, Margaret Ayers, and Kristy Farmer. 

Plot Summary: 
Viola believes her brother is lost at sea, leaving her alone in a foreign country, where she dresses like a boy to find work and live. She finds work with Duke Orsino, who is in love with the Countess Olivia. The Duke sends Viola, then known as Cesario, to court the Countess on his behalf. Olivia falls for "Cesario" instead of the Duke. Meanwhile, the Countess serving man Malvolio is also in love with Olivia, and Olivia's uncle Toby brings a knight to seek Olivia's hand. Olivia's maid and uncle conspire an embarrassing plot to expose Malvolio's feelings toward Olivia. Sebastian, Viola's brother, arrives after being saved from the sea. In a case of mistaken identity, Olivia marries Viola's brother, Sebastian, who still believes Viola is dead. The conclusion is truly a happily-ever-after for many of the characters. 

"Love can be unrequited and fickle, but it can also be accompanied by intense emotions," said Duncan. "Twelfth Night conveys how extremes in either direction can make us seem foolish. Many of the themes in the show were designed to push buttons, boundaries, and social norms." 

Cast and Crew: 
The production features a talented mix of alumni, regional actors, and current Jax State students: 

  • Viola: Ellie Boozer (Jax State Alum) 
  • Orsino: Christian Watts (Jax State Alum) 
  • Sir Toby: Forrest Hinton (Gadsden, Ala.) 
  • Maria: Jennie Wall (Anniston, Ala.) 
  • Feste: Jason Wright (Jax State Alum) 
  • Malvolio: Trevor McMullen (Birmingham, Ala.) 
  • Olivia: Tea Wilson (Jax State Student) 
  • Sir Andrew: Ian Johnson (Gadsden State CC Student) 
  • Sebastian: Dylan Hurst (Anniston, Ala.) 
  • Antonio/Assistant Stage Manager: Laurellei Veasey (Jax State Student) 
  • Valentine/Choreographer: Semaje Newton (Jax State Student) 

Production Team: 

  • Director: Emily Duncan (Jax State Alum) 
  • Scenic Designer: Jessica Gallahar (Anniston, Ala.) 
  • Lighting Designer: Brandon Vick (Montgomery, Ala.) 
  • Carpenter: Joe Fuselli (Jax State Alum) 
  • Costume Designer: Briar Edwards (Jax State Alum) 
  • Assistant Costume Designer/First Hand: Skylee Vaughn (Jax State Student) 
  • Assistant Stage Manager: Evelyn Monson (Anniston, Ala.) 
  • Dramaturg: Carmine DiBiase (Jacksonville, Ala.) 
  • Assistant Artisans: Karen & Kelly Gregg (Jacksonville, Ala.) 

About The Shakespeare Project: 
The Shakespeare Project was established in 2017 to promote an understanding of performing arts and literature by presenting free professional productions of Shakespeare's classic plays. The mission continues to be to promote an understanding of performing arts and Shakespeare in the high school literature curriculum by presenting free programming and professional productions of the playwright's works. Thanks to community support and grant funding, this project has now grown to include specialized teacher training, camps and resource guides for our educators and students, workshops tailored to the needs of high school classes, apprenticeships for high schoolers and college students interested in technical theatre and performing arts, and FREE performances with professional actors. 

Twelfth Night actors on stage