Casting Teen Performers for "Twelfth Night" Play

A duke and the governor of Illyria (which isn’t a real place). A very eligible bachelor. He believes he is madly in love with Olivia, but he’s mostly in love with the idea of being in love.

A countess. The Bachelorette. A wealthy noblewoman in Illyria, whose father and brother have recently died. She is really not interested in Orsino, but despite her protests and her mourning, she’s actually open to flirting.

A young unmarried woman who is shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria, believing her twin brother, Sebastian, has been drowned. She decides to dress as a boy (Cesario) and serve Orsino, with whom she promptly falls in love.

A young unmarried man who is shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria, believing his twin sister, Viola, has been drowned. He shows up alive, causing great confusion because he is indistinguishable from Viola-as-Cesario.

A sea captain and suspected pirate who rescues Sebastian from the shipwreck, becomes good friends with him (and probably would like to be more than good friends), following him to Illyria despite a threat to his own life. Antonio is a strong sword fighter.

Uncle to Olivia, living off her wealth. He is often drunk, has a mischievous sense of humor, and generally enjoys the good life. But he has a temper and a dark side. He is very fond of Olivia’s maid, Maria.

A rich friend of Sir Toby, staying with him in Olivia’s household in the vain hope of marrying her. He’s charmingly naive, foolish, and unlucky in love

Olivia’s housekeeper/maid/confidante. She seems to genuinely care for Sir Toby and tries to protect him from himself, although she also joins in some of his practical jokes.

The fool (a court jester), referred to in the script as the “clown.” A central figure in the play, Feste sings, tells jokes, mocks the other characters, participates in practical jokes, and comments on the action. Requires a combination of clever word play and physical humor.

Olivia’s steward (a bit like a butler, the head of her household). A deeply serious “puritan,” Malvolio hates Sir Toby’s drunken behavior and secretly dreams of marrying Olivia in order to improve his social rank. He is the subject of an elaborate practical joke that starts out hilarious but turns quite dark.

A gentleman who appears to be a member of Olivia’s household, although we never learn why. He is a friend of Sir Toby and a key player in the trick played on Malvolio.