Twelfth Night

by William Shakespeare

Purdue University

Directed by Kristine Holtvedt

February 2022

Lighting Design by Hannah Grace Harper

Costume Design by Mae Berg

Sound Design by Tyler Berg

Technical Direction by Tabitha Wimsett

  In this production of Twelfth Night, the designer wanted to highlight the effect that Viola has on everyone around her. Everyone is lost, following the wrong path, until Viola appears and cleanses their souls and spirits, much like the ocean that delivered her to Illyria. This ocean appears all around the stage, from the beach on the apron to the swirling portals overhead.

  The designer and director also wanted to split the stage between Olivia and Orsino, the two characters that Viola has the greatest effect upon. On one side of the stage sits the gate to Orsino’s house, with straight, masculine lines and sharp edges. On the opposite side lies an archway leading to Olivia’s property, nestled amongst a sprawling orchard, with feminine, organic curves and botanical imagery.

  Instead of going for full realism, the choice was made to adopt an illustrative style inspired by Aubrey Beardsley, a frequent collaborator of Oscar Wilde. Beardsley’s strong lines and simplistic shapes help to unify the overall design of the show, without it becoming too overwhelming to the eye.