In The News 2 November 2026

SSCC Theatre presents 'Twelfth Night' Nov. 13-15

The Highland County Press - Staff Photo - Create Article

By Elizabeth Burkard
Director of Marketing
Southern State Community College

SSCC Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night," playing Nov. 13-15 in the Edward K. Daniels Auditorium on Southern State Community College’s Central Campus, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro. The Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee begins at 3:30 p.m. 
 
The production is the first under Justin Drummond, Southern State’s new theatre director. Drummond brings 18 years of directing experience at the high school level and is currently teaching theatre and communication courses at Southern State. 
 
Shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother, Sebastian (Duncan Pickering-Polstra), Viola (Fiona Holmes) washes ashore in Illyria. She disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and goes to work for Duke Orsino (Payton Taylor). Orsino sends Cesario to win over the Countess Olivia (Vanesa Melendez), who falls for the messenger instead, while Viola quietly falls for Orsino. Meanwhile, in Olivia’s household, her rowdy uncle Sir Toby Belch (Mark Holmes), his hapless friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Justin Drummond), and the quick-witted Maria (Leslie Holmes) plot a prank against Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio (Ian Holmes). When Sebastian turns up alive, mistaken identities pile up on the way to a joyful and surprisingly tender ending. 
 
This production sets Shakespeare’s comedy in the Edwardian era (1901-1917), and music runs throughout. The play’s songs, many of them sung by Olivia’s fool, Feste (Hoyt Leisure), are performed live onstage by the cast. 
 
The cast also includes Hannah Curtis, Lucian Green, Grady Horick, and Liam Horick. 
 
The production team includes Justin Drummond (director, production design), Johanna Kelley (stage manager), Jackson King (costumes), Emma Brown (hair and makeup), Jeff Horick (fight choreography), Mark Holmes and Ian Holmes (set construction), and Taylor Stanfield (sound technician). 
 
The performance runs approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission. "Twelfth Night" is suitable for all ages and includes comic drinking, staged fights, and bawdy humor.
 
Wheelchair seating is available. 
 
Tickets for "Twelfth Night" are now on sale for $20 and can be purchased online at https://our.show/sscctwelfthnight or at the door.
 
Southern State students with a valid SSCC student ID can buy tickets at the door for $10.
 
Credit cards are accepted for both online and in-person purchases. Seating is reserved, and advance purchase is recommended to secure preferred seats. 
 
For more information about Twelfth Night, please visit https://our.show/sscctwelfthnight.  

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