The final curtain… for now.

Story and Photos by Danny Rivera / Staff

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Kassie Howard, cast in the dual roles of Olivia and Cesario in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, practices her delivery while stage manager Katherine White watches from the front row.

Using the style and clothing of the 1980s to set a 17th century play may seem odd to some. But by transporting William Shakespeare’s classic comedy Twelfth Night from a bygone era to a relatively modern times, LBCC’s Performing Arts department accomplishes what some consider impossible: It made Shakespeare entertaining.

Below are pictures documenting preparations for one of the final performances in LBCC’s auditorium, before an extensive remodel shutters its doors until 2019.


Makeup artist Paige Laney converses with actor Benjamin Earl before transforming him into lead character Duke Orsino for William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Actor Cindy Poi clips on her wig as she prepares to take the stage as love interest Olivia in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This was her first performance under the direction of LBCC professor Anthony Carreiro.
Actors Kassie Howard and Karen Owens sort through their costumes while they prepare for the evening’s performance of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. director and LBCC professor Anthony Carreiro used the stylings of the 1980s New Wave and hair metal scenes to give a modern take on Shakespeare’s 17th century story about a love triangle involving a cross-dressing lead character.
Actors prepare for the evening’s production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Director Anthony Carreiro’s rendition of the classic play was set in the 1980s, and required intricate wardrobe and makeup to transport the audience back to a time where feathered hair and androgynous outfits were the norm.
Actors Asandra Tyler, Benjamin Earl, Rory Kennedy and Kassie Howard discuss the upcoming performance of Willian Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night mere hours before curtain call. This is the first production in eight years where dual productions ran during the same time, as professor Gregory Mortensen’s production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew ran on opposite days.
Kassie Howard, cast in the dual roles of Olivia and Cesario in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, practices her delivery while stage manager Katherine White watches from the front row.
Located in one of the converted bunker rooms below the stage is the Performing Arts department’s costume shop. As of the time of this shoot, many of the students had no idea where this essential part of the department would be relocated to during the auditorium’s remodel.
Veteran of LBCC’s theater productions Danny Rangel seduces the camera while preparing to take the stage as Sir Toby in the production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Inspiration for Rangel’s costume came from outfits worn by 70’s pop star Meat Loaf.
Performing Arts department’s Sound Engineering Technician Frederick Roessler surveys the backstage storage room in LAC’s Auditorium. Much of the items will be placed in storage while the auditorium undergoes an extensive renovation over the next two years.
Performing Arts professor Anthony Carriero addresses the cast and crew before curtain call. According to Carreiro, this large production was done to give the students one final experience before the auditorium is closed for renovations over the next two years.
Over thirty different wigs were used for director Anthony Carreiro’s production of William Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night. The array of multicolored hairpieces matched the vibrant costumes and colorful set to transport Shakespeare’s 17th century comedic masterpiece to the relatively modern 1980’s.