This year’s Roe Green Visiting Director Series for The School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University will be nationally-
acclaimed director J.R. Sullivan undertaking William Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece Twelfth Night, April 17 – 26, 2009 in the Wright-Curtis Theatre in the Music and Speech Center, 1325 Theatre Drive in Kent.

One of Shakespeare’s most acknowledged masterpieces; Twelfth Night is filled with rich characters, sharp observations of
our human foibles and intricate love affairs. The cast of 21 is made up of five School of Theatre and Dance MFA candidates including returning professional MFA candidate Elizabeth Townsend as Maria, MFA candidate and equity actress Nicole Perrone as Olivia, Dick Reiss as Sir Toby Belch, Bob Russell as Malvolio and Bill Patti as Fabian. The role of Viola will be played by freshman theatre major Aungelique Scott and Orsino will be played by senior musical theatre major Christopher Richards.

In addition to serving as the Utah Shakespearean Festival’s associate artistic director, J.R. Sullivan has directed at Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Arden Theatre; Milwaukee Repertory Theater; Pearl Theatre Company in New York City; Studio Theatre, Washington, D.C.; and Steppenwolf Theatre. He is the founder/producing artistic director of New American Theater, Rockford, Ill (1972 – 1994) and founder/producing artistic director, Beloit Festival Theatre (1982 – 1989).  Internationally he has directed in Bulgaria and at the Turgenev Dramatic Theatre in Russia.

Shows run Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Wright-Curtis Theatre is located n the Music and Speech Center, 1325 Theatre Drive in Kent. Tickets are $16 adults, $12 seniors, KSU faculty, staff and alumni, and $8 students with a valid College ID.  The box office is open weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. and one hour prior to curtain. For tickets call 330-672-2497. The box office accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Cash and personal checks.  Purchase regular price tickets online at www.theatre.kent.edu.

Media Contact: Effie A. Tsengas, 330-672-4102, etsengas@kent.edu