Twelfth Night

Types: Full-Length Play

Genre: Comedy

*** All Ages are Relative ***

OLIVIA – Any Ethnicity, 20s – 40s. A wealthy countess who is in mourning over the deaths of brother and father. Smart and commanding, known for beauty and elegance. She falls head over heels in love with Viola (in disguise as Cesario).

ORSINO – Any Ethnicity, late 20s – 40s. A handsome, athletic Duke. He thinks he’s madly in love with Olivia, but mainly he just loves the idea of romance and passion and drama – and performing it. Falls in love with Viola, even while she is disguised as Cesario.

FESTE – Any Gender or Ethnicity, 20s – 50. Olivia’s “fool” and a free spirit. Witty, droll, world-wise, and clever. A clown that has a streak of melancholy. Plays an instrument or sings.

SIR TOBY BELCH – Any Ethnicity, 40 – 60. Olivia’s uncle. A fun-loving, free-spirited drunk who doesn’t care much about social norms. Has a bit of a mean streak and doesn’t mind playing tricks on other characters.

VIOLA – Any Ethnicity, 20s – early 30s. The center, heart and hero of the play. Earnest but witty, grounded but fun, with a tender heart. Resourceful. Spends most of the play in disguise as a young man, serving the Duke Orsino with whom she is secretly in love.

MARIA – Any Ethnicity, 30s – 50s. Olivia’s lady-in-waiting. Nobody’s fool. Smart, savvy, and mischievous. Knows how to keep everyone in line. In love with Sir Toby Belch?

MALVOLIO – Any Gender or Ethnicity, 30s – 60s. Olivia’s steward. Malvolio is officious, self-important and humorless. Very straight-laced and disapproving. Deeply disdainful of Toby, Maria, Andrew and the rest of the rowdy crew in Olivia’s house. Holds a secret love for Olivia.

SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK – Any Ethnicity, 20s – 40s. A cheerful fop and a good-natured, silly, preening dandy. Extremely gullible. A partying friend of Sir Toby here to court Olivia. Useless but loveable.

FABIAN – Any Ethnicity, 20s-40s. The cook at Olivia’s household. Rough around the edges, but loves to take part in the shenanigans of Sir Toby’s crew.

SEBASTIAN – Any Ethnicity, 20s – Early 30s. Viola’s twin brother who was separated from her in a shipwreck. Courageous, passionate, loyal, kind, and good-hearted, as well as reckless and impulsive. Falls in love with Olivia.

ANTONIO/VALENTINE – Any Ethnicity, 20s – 40s. Antonio: A sea captain who rescues Sebastian from a shipwreck and is fiercely loyal to him, perhaps even in love. Valentine: a gentlemanly butler to Orsino.

CURIO/SEA CAPTAIN/PRIEST/OFFICER – Any Gender or Ethnicity, 20s – 50s. Curio: a servant of Orsino. The Sea Captain: A decent, salty fellow who rescues Viola from the shipwreck. Priest: One who marries Olivia and Sebastian and is called to testify about it later. Officer: One who comes to arrest Antonio and keep him in line.

Director – Mike Eastman