| Feb. 8, 2010 CONTACT: Perry Crafton 806-292-2813, wcrafton@wtamu.edu COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@mail.wtamu.edu Twelfth Night Brings Laughs to BIT Stage CANYON, Texas—Audience members can expect more than a few laughs when the Branding Iron Theatre at West Texas A&M University opens its spring season with Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night. The curtain opens at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11-13 and Feb. 17-20 under the direction of Perry Crafton, associate professor of theatre. Twelfth Night is considered one of Shakespeare’s best works and tells a story about love and deception with plenty of humor thrown in. “I’ve been mindful that for the past couple of years, the production at this time in the season calendar has coincided with Valentine’s Day,” Crafton said. “As a theatre program, we try to offer a Shakespearean production every other year. With Julius Caesar performing two years ago, I decided to select a comedy. Given the highly romantic nature of Twelfth Night, I knew it would be a good choice for this time of year. It has been a nice challenge for the cast and crew.” The BIT production will add a contemporary twist to the comedy, too. Although the actors will use the play’s original text, costumes will reflect a more modern look, as will the stage setting. “I’m pleased that we were able to invite a guest designer, Adam Miecielica from the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, to design the scenery for this production,” Crafton said. “It has been a great experience working with him and the artistry he has brought to this production.” Other members of the production’s design team include Shawn Irish, assistant professor of theatre, light design; Anne Medlock, assistant professor of theatre, costume design; Andrew Donnelly, a senior theatre major from Amarillo, sound design; and Barrett Evans, a senior musical theatre major from Canyon, props design. Cast members for Twelfth Night are listed by hometown, classification, major and role.
Amarillo
Keith Gamblin, senior theatre major—Andrew
Levi Gore, sophomore theatre major—Valentine/First Officer
Casey Hayes, senior theatre major—Malvolio
Travis Johnson, junior theatre major—Fabian
Kaitlin Jones, senior theatre major—Olivia’s Attendant/Priestess
Bryan Lewis, 2009 graduate in theatre—Orsino
Brandon Wilhelm, senior music theatre major—Curio
Andrews
Kirk Corley, senior theatre major—Toby
Azle
Zeke Lewis, freshman theatre major—Feste
Canyon
Jace Sluder, junior theatre major—Sebastian
Denver City
Halee Howard, freshman theatre major—Maria
El Paso
Ana Cos, freshman music theatre major—Olivia’s Attendant
Lubbock
Nathan Gregory, junior theatre major—Captain/Second Officer
Mt. Enterprise
Emmy Harris, sophomore theatre major—Olivia
San Angelo
Danilo Garcia, senior theatre major—Antonio
Sonora
Kaci Chavarria, junior theatre major—Olivia’s Attendant
Sweetwater
Lars Maurseth, junior theatre major—Musician
Tulia
Terah Zolman, senior theatre major—Viola Tickets for WTAMU theatre productions are priced at $10 each for reserved seating and $7 each for senior citizens and children 12 and under. For more information, call the BIT box office at 806-651-2804. —WTAMU— | 