The Beard of Avon and 12th Night began rehearsals on Saturday with a brief design presentation from Bill Bloodgood, the set designer; and Deb Trout, costume designer. Both sets use major elements of the same set and costumes, with variations for each. Kim Crowe, our dramaturg for both shows has created a website for the company to access research about the period. You can peruse it as well at www.upstartdramaturg.com.

Ken Albers (Mr. Tarleton in Misalliance) plays the theater producer, John Heminge and Lord Burleigh in Beard; and Sir Toby in 12th Night. Cate Davis, plays Anne Hathaway in Beard; and Maria in 12th Night. Cate and Ken spent many years in the acting company at OSF, and this morning shared that this is the 75th play they have worked on together!

Daniel Harray plays a distraught playwright, Fitch, in Beard and Sebastian in 12th Night. Brian Thompson (The Fantasticks, Pride and Prejudice) plays the Theatrical producer Condel/Sir Francis Bacon in Beard and Malvolio in 12th Night. Brian actually played Malvolio many, many years ago as a student in college (Northwestern?) - and is tickled to have another shot at it.

This is the 12th Night costume sketch for Antonio.

And for Sir Toby.

Ben Buckley (left), our only Portland native, plays Geoffrey/Ludibundus/Cleopatra/Kate in Beard and Valentine/Soldier/Priest in 12th Night. He’s going to be a busy guy. This is his first PCS show. Jennifer Lee Taylor (Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice) is playing Viola in 12th Night and the Minstrel/Player in Beard.

Today we spent time around the table discussing Beard of Avon. I like to start at the end of the play and work our way back to the front. For me, it’s easier to see the relationship of the events if you go back to front.