Our 2022 Production:
Twelfth Night or What SHE Will
Twelfth Night or What She Will
Optimist Theatre will once again bring our touring show to multiple sites around the greater Milwaukee area and beyond with Twelfth Night or What SHE Will
One of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies + Optimist Theatre = Twelfth Night or What SHE Will . Optimist's abridgment is 100% Shakespeare and a rare opportunity to illuminate the real people behind and relationship between Cesario (Viola in disguise) and the Countess Olivia (in mourning). Their reluctant wooing is both funny and poignant and a perfect counterpart to the antic and hysterical manipulation of self-important Malvolio at the drunken hands of Feste, Sir Toby Belch, Maria and Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Merriment abounds as Viola and Olivia discover and declare their truths while Malvolio's inevitable comeuppance is the comedic stuff of dreams.
One of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies + Optimist Theatre = Twelfth Night or What SHE Will . Optimist's abridgment is 100% Shakespeare and a rare opportunity to illuminate the real people behind and relationship between Cesario (Viola in disguise) and the Countess Olivia (in mourning). Their reluctant wooing is both funny and poignant and a perfect counterpart to the antic and hysterical manipulation of self-important Malvolio at the drunken hands of Feste, Sir Toby Belch, Maria and Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Merriment abounds as Viola and Olivia discover and declare their truths while Malvolio's inevitable comeuppance is the comedic stuff of dreams.
Dramatis Personae
Aka the cast of characters and what characters they are ;)
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
Please click here read more about the cast and production crew
*Member of Actors' Equity Association
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
Please click here read more about the cast and production crew
*Member of Actors' Equity Association
Attending the Show: How to prepare, what to expect, etc.
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Twelfth Night Or What SHE Will runs June 18th through August 7th, 2022.
(you can click here for a show calendar) The show will play in 10 outdoor green space throughout the greater Milwaukee area . Online registration (not the same as reservations) is greatly encouraged. As always, all performances are FREE to attend. Click on the location name below for more information and to register or make a reservation (SitP Members only) at the show.* (You can also click on the map image to scroll down to our interactive performance locations map.) |
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Performance Information, Registration and Reservation
When and Where:
*About Registration Vs. Reservations:
Shakespeare in the Park (SitP) performances are always free to attend, outdoors, and (mostly) open, general admission seating (bring your own chairs!).
- Saturday, June 18th at 5:00 PM: Alverno College
- Sunday, June 19th at 4:00 PM: Mitchell Park
- Saturday, June 25th at 4:00 PM: Humboldt Park CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Hosted by Humboldt Park Friends and the Bay View Neighborhood Association. - Sunday, June 26th at 4:00 PM: Sherman Park
Hosted by the Sherman Park Community Association and in partnership with Ko Thi Dance Company.
Come early to enjoy Ko Thi's 2:00 dance class! Then, stay for Shakespeare in the Park! - Saturday, July 2nd & 3rd: No Performances
- Saturday, July 9th at 4:00 PM: University Lake School **Newly Added Performance**
- Sunday, July 10th at 5:00 PM: Lincoln Park
Hosted by the Lincoln Park Friends. - Saturday, July 16th at 5:00 PM: Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum
Hosted by the Forest Home Historical Society - Sunday, July 17th at 5:30 PM: Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Performing Arts
Hosted by the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center.
Extra special pre-show event: A Conversation With Creators and Crafters.
Enjoy lively, insightful and oft surprising chat with the Optimist folks who brought the smash hit A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Lovers’ Tale to the Wilson Center last summer. Begins approximately 45 minutes before showtime, so be sure to arrive early. - Saturday, July 23rd & 24th : No Performances
- Saturday, July 30th: OPEN for possible rain date or additional performance
- Sunday, July 31st at 5:00 PM: Lake Park
- Saturday, August 6th at 4:00 PM: Washington Park *CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS*
- Sunday, August 7th at 5:00 PM: Marcus Performing Arts Center
Hosted by the Marcus Performing Arts Center where Shakespeare in the Park has been honored to be a Resident Partner since 2017. The performance will be in the Peck Pavilion so no need to bring a chair.
*About Registration Vs. Reservations:
Shakespeare in the Park (SitP) performances are always free to attend, outdoors, and (mostly) open, general admission seating (bring your own chairs!).
- Registration: Walk-ups are always welcome; however, you will find it very helpful if you register. Things can change at the last minute! Registration makes it possible for us to contact you with important show reminders and updates.
- Reservations: SitP members can reserve a space at one performance of their choice each season.
-- SitP Membership is is available for a yearly donation of $75.
-- Members are welcome to invite non-members to join them for a donation of $40 per person.
-- If you would like to become a member, follow the link (above_ for each show.
-- Member spaces are limited, so reserve your space early.
What to Expect
The touring show uses a mobile set designed specifically for the company. The design replicates the experience of an indoor theater and is complete with a sound system, multi-level stage decks and a 10' x 20' backdrop and is adaptable to the vagaries of performing outdoors. The house is a gridded audience seating area complete with ushers and a middle aisle. All of the actors wear wireless microphones.
Shakespeare in the Park is completely self-contained with a whisper generator. All that Optimist needs is a flat piece of grass large enough to accommodate the productions' 20 ' x 30 ' footprint plus room for our audience.
The 2022 show is about 80-90 minutes long with no intermission.
Shakespeare in the Park is completely self-contained with a whisper generator. All that Optimist needs is a flat piece of grass large enough to accommodate the productions' 20 ' x 30 ' footprint plus room for our audience.
The 2022 show is about 80-90 minutes long with no intermission.
Coming to the Show: Venues and Seating
The show is free to attend and space to sit is first-come, first-served.
Members may reserve seating spaces prior to show date (see show links above)
Our House Manager will mark the grass with areas for the audience. You're welcome to sit anywhere you like however this area marks the boundaries where you will be able to best see and hear the performance.
60 minutes before the show, this area will be "opened" and you're welcome to pick your spot. Leave a chair, a blanket, or anything you like to mark that that space has been taken by you. You're welcome to stay or leave the audience area once you've marked your spot.
There are no seats or chairs provided for any of these shows. Audience members can bring their own chairs or picnic blankets.
Check out our interactive map for venue specific information including available amenities or site specific restrictions.
Members may reserve seating spaces prior to show date (see show links above)
Our House Manager will mark the grass with areas for the audience. You're welcome to sit anywhere you like however this area marks the boundaries where you will be able to best see and hear the performance.
- There is amplified music and effects so please bear that in mind when choosing where to sit. The speakers are easy to spot.
60 minutes before the show, this area will be "opened" and you're welcome to pick your spot. Leave a chair, a blanket, or anything you like to mark that that space has been taken by you. You're welcome to stay or leave the audience area once you've marked your spot.
There are no seats or chairs provided for any of these shows. Audience members can bring their own chairs or picnic blankets.
- **ADA Considerations: All performances take place on grass. If you require the use of a wheelchair, please contact us at [email protected] for more information and suggestions on which locations have the best accessibility.
Check out our interactive map for venue specific information including available amenities or site specific restrictions.
Health and Safety: Masks and Distancing
Shakespeare in the Park are committed to keeping our cast, crew, audiences, and communities safe. Optimist Theatre is also a proud member theatre of Actors' Equity Association and gratefully follows their parameters for COVID health and safety. Current requirements* are as follows:
- Audience seating is a minimum of 6' from the edge of the performance area.
- All audience members sitting near the stage are required to wear masks at all times.
- No one outside of the cast, crew and production team are allowed on the stage or in the backstage area at any time.
- If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend the show.
What to Bring
You are welcome and encouraged to bring ...
- A lawn chair or comfortable blanket to sit on. If you do not have a chair, you may want to arrive early to try to get a spot in front so you aren't sitting on the ground behind chairs.
- Sunscreen. Shows are outdoors and there may not be shade available.
- Insect Repellant
- Sun hat, sunglasses. We try to find shady spots for shows but it's not guaranteed. Note: No umbrellas are allowed since they block the view of the person sitting behind you.
- A light sweater or jacket in case of windy or cool evenings
- A raincoat if rain is expected
- A water bottle. Seriously consider doing this. If you come early to grab a great spot, you'll be sitting for up to an hour before the show. We try for shady areas but it's not guaranteed.
- Picnic style snacks
- A lawn chair. Yes, we did already mention this but it's very important. We do not provide chairs.
- What about kids?
Children are of course welcome at the shows and many families love to experience our shows together! That said, the shows are not specifically designed as children's shows.
If you plan to bring very young children who may not be able to sit for the full 80-90 minute runtime, we ask that you sit on the outside edge of the seating area in case they need a movement break. - A note on dogs:
Service animals are always welcome. Well-behaved pets are also welcome if the Shakespeare in the Park host venue allows it. Your dog must be on a leash at all times and we ask you to sit on the outer edge of seating area.
What Not to Bring
The following items are not allowed at any performance:
- Alcohol
- Firearms, knives, or any other weapons
- Cameras or video recording equipment (no photos or videos of the production are allowed)
- Umbrellas
- Cigarettes or other items or devices for smoking are not allowed within the audience seating area or anywhere near the performance area
- Anything on the specific list of items not to bring to that particular location (will be listed on the map entry, see below).
We Are All Guests
Optimist Theatre and Shakespeare in the Park are guests at each performance location, so it’s very important we respect their rules and treat their green spaces with care.
- Site Specific Rules: The locations map below will have specific information for each site for any restrictions, etc.
- Cleanliness: Please be sure to clean up after yourself and use appropriate garbage and/or recycling bins. If you cannot locate bins, please pack up and take your garbage with you.
Locations Map
Click on the map below to see our locations and how to find the performance, parking, and other important site details. You can scroll through the list at the left, click on the map at the right, or use the search bar to find your desired location.
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