About Twelfth Night
“Twelfth Night, or What You Will”, one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, is a story of twins separated by shipwreck and the ensuing shenanigans, foibles, intrigues, and ultimately, the universal truth about love. Plus it’s just plain funny.
About OUR Twelfth Night or What SHE Will
From Executive Director Susan Scot Fry, "First and foremost, Twelfth Night or What SHE Will is 100% Shakespeare. Optimist's abridgement is also a rare opportunity to illuminate the relationship between Cesario (Viola in disguise) and the Countess Olivia (in mourning) and to get a real sense of who they are as people. Their reluctant wooing is both funny and poignant and a perfect counterpart to the antic manipulation of the self-important Malvolio at the drunken hands of Feste, Sir Toby, Maria and Sir Andrew."
Performance locations range all around the greater Milwaukee area and details can be found here.
Performance locations range all around the greater Milwaukee area and details can be found here.
Cast and Production Team
Twelfth Night or What SHE Will
Director, Dramaturg, Music Designer, and Producer: ML Cogar
Assistant Director and Producer: Tom Reed*
Stage Manager: Melissa L. Wanke*
Cast
Libby Amato as Maria
Susie Duecker as Feste
Kaitlin Feely as Olivia
Siddhartha Rajan as Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Brielle Richmond as Viola/Cesario
Deshawn Thomas as Count Orsino
Andrew Varela* as Malvolio
Ken T Williams* as Sir Toby Belch
Click here for more information about our cast
Production Team
Director, Dramaturg, Music Designer, and Producer: ML Cogar
Assistant Director and Producer: Tom Reed*
Stage Manager: Melissa L. Wanke*
Cast
Libby Amato as Maria
Susie Duecker as Feste
Kaitlin Feely as Olivia
Siddhartha Rajan as Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Brielle Richmond as Viola/Cesario
Deshawn Thomas as Count Orsino
Andrew Varela* as Malvolio
Ken T Williams* as Sir Toby Belch
Click here for more information about our cast
Production Team
- Executive Director, Community Liaison, and Producer: Susan Fry
- Production Manager and Technical Director: Rollie Layman
- Costume and Set Draping Designer: Mel Benson
- Assistant Stage Manager and Deck Chief: Megan Harris
- House Manager: Michael Warren
- Sound Engineer and Production Crew: Tony Roman
- Production Crew: Katie Lane
- Production Crew: Kaetryn "Captain" Koneazny
- Production Crew and Wardrobe: Isaac Hopper
- Production Design, Co-Founder, Artistic Director Emeritus: Ron Fry
- Original Music: Holly Haebig
- Assistant House Manager : KimberLee Emmerich
- Ushers: Invaluable Volunteers
- Financial & Production: Christie Manussier
- Web, Marketing, and Outreach: Beth Lewinski
- Development: Karen Samelson
Meet Our Cast
Libby Amato
Maria
Hurray for another summer of Shakespeare in the sun! Libby's previous credits with Optimist include A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Lovers’ Tale, No Holds Bard: The Pericles Project, Comedy of Errors, and King Lear.
A big thank you to this excellent team, and lots of love to her family. |
Susie Duecker
Feste
Susie Duecker is overjoyed to be returning to Optimist Theater after appearing as Helena in last year's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Lovers' Tale. Other Wisconsin credits include Forward Theater’s 2021 Monologue Festival, The Twelve Dates of Christmas at Next Act Theatre, The Drowning Girls at Renaissance Theaterworks, Big Fish at First Stage, Windjammers and Muskie Love at Northern Sky Theater, etc.
Some of her favorite Shakespeare roles include Rosalind (As You Like It), Mistress Page (Merry Wives of Windsor), Marc Antony (Julius Caesar), Montjoy, Williams, and the French King (Henry V). She earned her BFA in drama at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. |
Kaitlin Feely
Olivia
Kaitlin Feely is thrilled to be making her debut with Optimist Theatre! Kaitlin holds a BFA in Music Theatre and a minor in Mathematics from Illinois Wesleyan University. Most recent credits include Suzanne u/s in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Citadel Theatre), Suzanne in Don’t Dress for Dinner (BrightSide Theatre), and Caroline in Island Song (4 Chairs Theatre). Kaitlin would like to thank her wonderful cast and production team, and her exceptional parents.
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Siddhartha Rajan
Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Siddhartha Rajan is a Chicago based actor playing the role of Sir Andrew Aguecheek. This is his first time with Optimist and he is thrilled to be a part of Twelfth Night or What SHE Will. Recently he has taken more to film appearing in Bong Zombies on YouTube and Easy on Netflix. Other Shakespeare credits include Henry VIII (Lakeside Shakespeare) and Merchant of Venice (Rasaka Theater). He has multiple upcoming film projects to keep an eye out for.
Follow him @siddhartharajan on Twitter and @siddhartharjan on Instagram. He'd like to give a shout-out to his family and friends for their undying support. Excelsior! |
Brielle Richmond
Viola / Cesario
Brielle Richmond, a Milwaukee native, is excited to be joining the cast of Twelfth Night or What SHE Will as Viola/Cesario! As a performer, she is thrilled to continue to learn, cultivate, and perfect her craft by broadening her experiences. Brielle has worked with Black Arts MKE; Lights! Camera! Soul!; Marquette Theatre; Sunstone Studios; and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. She is elated to work under the direction of so many talented and skilled artists. Special thanks to Tom Reed and Optimist Theatre for this opportunity and to her family, friends, and most importantly, God. Without God, none of this would be possible! Enjoy the shows and have a wonderful, adventurous summer! Philippians 4:13.
briellerichmond.com |
Deshawn Thomas
Count Orsino
A Milwaukeean born and raised, Deshawn is thrilled to be working with Optimist Theatre on Twelfth Night or What SHE Will. Deshawn received his B.A. in Theatre from Ripon College. He is super excited to be making his onstage debut this summer. When he isn’t onstage, he is fulfilling his other passion, working with kids.
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Ken T. Williams*
Sir Toby Belch
Ken is excited to be back at Optimist Theatre, He was last seen as Leontes in The Pericles Project. Other roles with Optimist include Angus in MacBeth and Stephano in The Tempest. He has also worked with many local theatres such as Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Acacia Theatre, Alchemist, Cornerstone, Uprooted, and Youngblood, to name a few. Ken currently runs the theatre department at University Lake School in Hartland. He is grateful to Optimist Theatre Company for the opportunity to perform on stage once again. As always he sends much love to his kin especially his beautiful wife and amazing children. Thank you for supporting the arts!
kentoddwilliams.net *Member of Actors' Equity Association |