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Mischief, mistaken identity, love, and joyful revelation abound at Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre during its upcoming production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Twelfth Night.”

This production marks the return of the Bard to Towngate’s mainstage season for the first time in more than four decades. Shows take place May 3, 4, 5, 10, and 11.

Director Dennis Fox promises audiences laughter and merriment.

“‘Twelfth Night’ may be the most joyous and problem free romp in the Shakespeare canon. Rehearsing the play has been the most incredible experience because the cast and I have shared so many moments of crazy laughter in creating these characters. Everyone loves comedy and I guarantee the audience will not be disappointed in that respect.”

Still Relevant Today

Fox says “Twelfth Night” is as relevant today as when the play was written—more than 400 years ago—because of the universal themes explored in the play.

“The main theme of ‘Twelfth Night’ is how the pursuit of love can be confusing, irrational, excessive, and, most importantly, funny. Everyone in ‘Twelfth Night’ is seeking pleasure and fulfillment. Many of today’s comedies are based on the very same pursuit of love, so audiences will find ‘Twelfth Night’ completely familiar.”

The play centers on twins Viola and Sebastian. Separated in a shipwreck off the coast of an unfamiliar land, each believes the other to be dead. Viola disguises herself as a man to find employment but unintentionally catches the eye of Olivia, the beloved of her new employer, Duke Orsino. To make matters worse, Viola has fallen for the Duke. When Sebastian arrives on the scene, he is mistaken for his sister, the disguised Viola. Illusion, confusion, and hijinks ensue.

Making Shakespeare Accessible to All

For many, Shakespeare’s works, even his comedies, may seem intimidating. Fox has been mindful of that when bringing this production to life. He believes Shakespeare enthusiasts as well as those who are less familiar with his work will have an enjoyable theatrical experience.

“Because many people do fear Shakespeare in performance, my directorial approach has been to make this production as accessible as possible, to everyone. Shakespeare’s real genius lies in the creation of his characters, and his incredible understanding of human nature. With that in mind, my focus has been on the characters and how they develop and interact with each other.”

He added, “In staging ‘Twelfth Night’ I have tried to create an atmosphere that mimics how the play might have been performed in Shakespeare’s time—focusing on the spectacle of the costumes more than the scenery.”

The Bard Returns to Towngate’s Mainstage Season

Towngate’s last mainstage production of Shakespeare was “Macbeth” in 1977.  “There is no one specific reason why it has been 47 years since, but I suspect that the added difficulties of staging Shakespeare are part of the reason,” Fox explained.

Coincidentally, the first time Fox acted on the Towngate stage was during that 1977 production of “Macbeth.”

He said actors and audiences are excited about the Bard’s return to Towngate.

“Last year Towngate veteran actor Cathie Spencer organized the ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’ weekly reading group and the popularity of that group brought the focus of Shakespeare back to Towngate,” Fox said.

When auditions for “Twelfth Night” were held, dozens of community actors showed up hoping to secure a role in the production.

“I think Towngate had a large turnout for ‘Twelfth Night’ auditions for several reasons. First, it has been 47 years since the last production—opportunities to experience Shakespeare locally are rare. Second, Shakespeare is a great challenge for actors; many who auditioned are longtime Towngate veterans. Third, ‘Twelfth Night’ is probably Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy and one of his most produced plays.”

Talented Cast

Cast members for the production are Kaylee Nedrow (Viola), Hayden Heiserman (Orsino), Karissa Martin (Olivia), Ethan Casey (Sebastian), Frank Wilson (Malvolio), Leif Green (Feste), Mario Muscar (Toby), Chelsey Barnes (Maria), Alexander Hill (Andrew), Ed Street (Antonio), Robert Gaudio (Captain, Fabian), Lynea Logan (Valentine, 2nd Officer), Bert Hawthorne (Curio), Jon Coffield (1st Officer), P.D. Gregg (Priest), Jana Schodzinski (Servant).

About Dennis Fox

Fox served as assistant professor of theater instruction and director of OUE Theatre at Ohio University Eastern Campus for 37 years. During his tenure, OUE Theatre produced more than 100 plays. “Twelfth Night” is the second play he has directed at Towngate since his retirement from Ohio University in 2021.

“Last season, I had the great opportunity to direct ‘All My Sons’ at Towngate. Like ‘Twelfth Night,’ I had an incredible cast, and the show was a tremendous success. Audiences responded to the raw power of that production. I was incredibly pleased and honored. Towngate Theatre is an invaluable resource to the Ohio Valley.”

Fox will also direct a play for Towngate’s 2024-25 main stage season, which will be announced in late June.

“My goal as a director is to give audiences experiences that they may not have had before. I am very proud and grateful to be carrying on that tradition at Towngate Theatre.”

Thank You to Our Sponsors

“Twelfth Night” is presented with support from Towngate’s season sponsor Unified Bank and additional support from David Jolliffe, Clare E. McDonald & Robert J. Gaudio, and an anonymous donor.

As a nonprofit community theater, Towngate relies on the generosity of our patrons, neighbors, and friends.

When you give to Towngate, you invest in our community and the stories we tell together. Donate online today.

Get Tickets

Curtain for Towngate’s production of “Twelfth Night” is at 8pm May 3, 4, 10 and 11 and 3pm Sunday, May 5.

Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700. You can purchase tickets at the door, if available. Box office opens one hour prior to curtain.

Join Us for Dinner & Support Towngate Theatre

The Friends of Towngate will host a fundraising dinner at 5:30pm Sunday, May 5, following the matinee performance of “Twelfth Night.”

Cost is $30 per person. You can purchase tickets for the dinner with your show ticket. Advanced reservations required. Seating is limited. All proceeds support Towngate Theatre.

More than theater…

In addition to community theater, Towngate offers children’s theater, ballet, improvisational comedy, and live music. Towngate is also a single screen cinema, offering movies on select evenings and features changing art exhibitions in The Gallery at Towngate. Theater classes are also offered year-round.

Towngate is in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District. This church-turned-theater is one of several Wheeling venues operated by the non-profit Oglebay Institute. Other OI venues include: Stifel Fine Arts Center and School of Dance on National Road, the Mansion Museum, Glass Museum and Schrader Environmental Education Center in Oglebay.

WHEELING, W.Va. (January 17, 2024)-Oglebay Institute fosters and celebrates the talent and creativity of young artists. The 35th annual Regional Student Art Exhibition is on display at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling through February 9.

Through this exhibition, high school students display their artwork in a professional gallery, see what other students are doing in the world of art, and collaborate and get feedback from art teachers, college professors, and other students from throughout the region. Part of Oglebay Institute’s art exhibition season, the show is sponsored by United Bank.

Fourteen Schools, Three States, Seven Counties

Fourteen high schools from three states and seven counties are represented in this year’s show. Schools include Bridgeport High School, John Marshall High School, Wheeling Central Catholic High School, Union Local High School, Martins Ferry High School, Bellaire High School, Wheeling Park High School, Brooke High School, Avella High School, The Linsly School, River High School, St. Clairsville High School, and Oak Glen High School. Homeschool students also participated in the show.

More than 300 pieces were submitted and 122 were selected for the exhibit after being juried by Georgette Stock.

Award Winners

Best of Show: Rachel Edinger, The Linsly School, for her work “Grandma’s Yellow Dress in Summer 1936.”

Painting: First Place, Rachel Edinger, The Linsly School; Second Place, Julianna Walters, Wheeling Park; Third Place, Cam Harris, Brooke High School.

Sculpture: First Place, Angelina Dubiel, Home school; Second Place, Norah Blecher, Union Local; Third Place, Zara Harveth, Bellaire.

Mixed Media: First Place, Emily Tenley, River; Second Place, Katherine Anderson, Brooke; Third Place, Landen Frame, Brooke.

Photography: First Place, Makeyla Marlin, Bellaire; Second Place, Allie Ault, Bellaire; Third Place, Kyleigh Leach, Union Local.

Drawing: First Place, Kassie Gorby, Oak Glen; Second Place, Baylee Huml, Union Local; Third Place, Savannah Springer, Union Local.

Digital: First Place, Jessica Nissley, The Linsly School; Second Place, Annalise Johnson, The Linsly School; Third Place, Kylah Florio, Martins Ferry.

Honorable Mentions: Ella Everson, St. Clairsville; Kristin Savage, Martins Ferry; Kathryn Smitsky, Avella; Jake Henry, River.

Scholarships Awarded

Regional colleges also award scholarships each year in conjunction with Oglebay Institute’s Regional Student Art Show. West Virginia University made a scholarship offers to Ella Everson of St. Clairsville High School. West Liberty University presented a scholarship offer to Kassie Gorby of Oak Glen High School.

“As a former high school arts teacher being a part of this show was a great honor,” said Oglebay Institute curator of exhibitions Kevin Clancy, “The caliber of work being produced in the valley is a testament to both the teachers we have and the students they are cultivating. I’m so pleased that the arts are doing well in and around my home and I hope to continue to highlight the successes of our students and educators into the future.”

“The work exhibited in these galleries truly illustrates the artistic collaboration and dedication occurring between educators and their students,” Stock said in her juror’s statement. “For centuries artists have learned from artists, educators have learned from educators and these galleries are a classroom for such an experience. I congratulate all whose art is being exhibited, as your art represents approximately half of the submissions submitted for consideration.  You are showing well.”

Juror Georgette Stock

When jurying the work, Stock said she took into consideration criteria used by the College Board. Criteria includes investigation of visual concepts; decision making in terms of experimentation and risk taking; originality, imagination, and invention using the elements and principles of design in composition; work that illustrates intention and purpose; confident work that engages the viewer, technical competence and skill with materials and media; understanding of the use of digital or photographic sources; appropriation and the student “voice;” and overall accomplishment and quality.

Georgette Stock holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts management, with an emphasis in studio art, from the former Wheeling College, now Wheeling University and a master’s degree in art history from the University of Cincinnati. She managed and served as Creative Consultant and Manager of her family businesses Jay’s Studio and Jay Stock’s Gallery until 2008. She also taught at served as art department chair at Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy until The Mount closed in 2008. She served on the faculty of Bethany College teaching watercolor, three-dimensional design, and art history from 2007 – 2012, and was on the faculty of Wheeling Jesuit University and Wheeling University from 2014 – 2022 in the teacher preparation program, educating future teachers on how to integrate art across the curriculum through a variety of artistic mediums.  In 2011 and 2012 she served as an AP Studio Art Reader for the College Board.

See this Show

You can view the 35th Annual Regional Student Art Exhibition free of charge now through February 9 at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, 1330 National Road, Wheeling. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturdays. Evening hours are dependent on classes and special events taking place.  For more information, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.

The annual exhibit is open to students in grades 9-12 within a 50-mile radius of Wheeling. Award winners receive ribbons along with cash prizes.

Part of the nonprofit Oglebay Institute and housed in the historic Edemar Mansion, Stifel Fine Arts Center is a public arts center with galleries, classrooms, and performance space. Artists, emerging artists, art lovers, students, educators, and families gather at Stifel to connect and engage in creative pursuits.