
This July join us at the park for a free show of Twelfth Night: A Pirate’s Tale!
An adaptation directed by Renni Elliot and assistant directed by Juli Brown. This Shakespeare classic has been re-imagined as a queer pirate love story for the ages!
Check out our travelling show dates!
July 10th – 11th at 7pm & July 12th at 2pm @ Magnuson Park Amphitheater (6344 NE 74th St, Seattle, WA 98115)
July 17th at 7pm & July 19th at 2pm@ Redmond Grass Lawn Park (7031 148th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052)
July 24th at 7pm & July 25th at 2pm and 7pm @ Carnegie Snohomish (105 Cedar Ave, Snohomish, WA 98290)
July 26th @ 11am at Seattle Outdoor Theatre Festival!
Directors’ Note:
From Renni Elliot
Twelfth Night has had a very special place in my heart since the 7th grade. But as a queer artist and a person in a non-traditional relationship, I have become unsatisfied by the heteronormativity of the ending. No shade to William, but the “don’t panic, we’re actually all straight” vibe just doesn’t cut it for me and my pals. So, with the trust and confidence of my troupe behind me, I have done something I have always dreamed of doing: adapted the script, cast, directed, and starred in a Shakespeare production that reflects me, my community, and so many other folks whose gender, sexuality, and relationships exist on a fluid spectrum. And to be honest, setting this show on a pirate ship was mostly an excuse to dress up like pirates and have lots of cool swordfighting, because if you’re gonna make theatre with your best mates, why not be gay pirates together?
In all seriousness, this show wouldn’t have happened without the immense trust of my troupe and their commitment to collaboration. I would like to thank you, our audience, for supporting live theatre and 100% human-made art! We have had a lot of fun making this show, and we hope you have fun watching!
Shoutouts to my pirate crew:
Patrick: Finally getting to work together again after 7 years has been a delight. You bring such incredible energy to the stage, and I’m honored that you took me up on this wild project!
Adam: It is always a pleasure to see my friends grow into themselves through a part in a play, and you have done so with Antonio. Cheers to being queer!
Dani: Your artistry and commitment have made this show what it is and I truly couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for helping me (and all of us) look totally badass.
Drewzy: I can always count on you to embrace the comedy and commit to the bit, and I’m so glad we get to make art together. Nobody does Fabian like you, my friend.
Jordan: You are so dynamic and versatile as an actor yet so humble and kind as a friend. I am so grateful for your support through this process, both on stage and as stage manager extraordinaire.
Michele: My favorite wench! Thank you for offering your home to this bedraggled troupe of scallywags; we would be lost at sea without you.
Mychelle: You have brought such fun energy, collaboration, and an eagerness to every rehearsal that has truly changed this show for the better. I am so proud of you!
Aaron: Thank you for always being up for whatever wild thing this band of fools gets up to every summer. You’re such a natural comedian, and it’s always a pleasure to share the stage with you.
Annie: You’re a queen and an icon, and I endeavor to cast you in everything forever. Thank you for always bringing your signature Annie sass to the stage!
Izzy: I am so grateful for how you have shown up for this process! You jumped in with your whole self and have given Feste so much life. I am in awe of your talent and creativity and am honored to have you as part of the crew.
Juli: Thank you for embracing my vision and leadership and offering your invaluable support as assistant director. I am so grateful for your partnership through this process, both on and offstage. It is always a pleasure to look deep into your eyes as I search for my lines.
Madi: We would be such a hot mess without you, and we are so much hotter with you!
And lastly, to “the unknown beloveds,” the queer and trans kids out there: You are so loved and so important. You have had greatness thrust upon you, and the world is better with you here.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free! Enjoy the show, me hearties!
Meet the Cast!

Captain Orsino – Renni Elliot (They/Them)
Renni Elliot is a queer genderfluid actor, director, and artist and is so incredibly grateful to create art with this troupe of humans. After directing Band of Bards’ last summer show “The Hypochondriac”, they are thrilled to be back on stage as a pirate! Favorite past roles include Brutus in Julius Ceasar, Jim in Perfect Arrangement, Max in Lend Me A Tenor, and the Nurse in Shakespeare’s R+J. They would like to thank Riley and Doodle and the whole cast and crew for letting them have their Kenneth Branagh fantasy.

Cesario/Viola – Juli Brown (They/Them)
Juli is so glad to be working with Band of Bards again! Born in the PNW, they made their Seattle debut with “Sidewalks” (Silverkite’s Intergenerational Theatre) just post-pandemic. Following a long standing love for story-telling, they are so glad to be involved in BoB projects. They would like to dedicate their performance to the late Mary Opland Springer, their teacher who introduced them to theatre and encouraged them to follow whimsy.

Olivier – Patrick Tolden
Patrick is very honored to be making his B.O.B debut. Seattle born and raised, he was previously in “Carmen” (Seattle Opera) “Anatomy of Flight” (Shatter Glass Projects) and “Covenant” (ARTSWEST). He would love to thank Renni Elliot for this amazing opportunity, the cast and crew for making each day special and unforgettable, and his beautiful family for their endless love and support. He dedicates his performance to Mary Opland Springer, rest well my friend.

Sebastian – Dani Hanlon (They/He)
Excited to be working once again with their favorite people, Dani would like to welcome you to this year’s Band of Bards performance. They have been part of every year’s production since the founding of the troupe. Outside of the Bards, Dani has performed with many theatres in the Seattle and north Seattle area. In their free time Dani enjoys painting miniatures, playing D&D with friends and family, and practicing stage combat! They would like to give a big thanks to the other members of Band of Bards, especially their partner Madi, who has always been an inspiration for their theatrical pursuits.

Maria – Annie Jankovic
Annie Jankovic (she/her) is thrilled to be in her 3rd production with Band of Bards – especially with a character as fun as Maria! Previous roles were Octavius/Ensemble in Julius Caesar, and Cleo in The Hypochondriac. You may also have seen her this last spring in Footloose at Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts (she was the one on roller skates!) Thanks to her beloved Mayflower, and everyone who made this show possible. Enjoy the show!

Malvolio – Jordan Mielbrecht (He/Him)
Jordan is ECSTATIC to join Band of Bards’ summer show for the fourth year in a row, this time as stage manager as well as actor! Previous acting credits include Marc Antony in Band of Bards’ production of Julius Caesar (2024) and Argan in Band of Bards’ The Hypochondriac (2025). You can also view him on the screen as Ocean in Ocean’s Arrival (2022), directed by Giao Nguyen and available on Amazon Video. Jordan gives his eternal gratitude to his friends and family for their undying support of his career in Making Pretend in public. Special shoutout to Madi Hanlon for her invaluable work as “Assistant” Stage Manager – frankly, you’ve more than earned the title of Co-Stage Manager for your valiant work keeping this show running.
IG: @jjmickn1zzle

Toby – Aaron Fry
Aaron Fry has been with the Band of Bards for three years now. And is excited to help bring this rendition of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to life. A lover of the arts, Aaron graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in theater. Outside of acting, Aaron is an outdoor enthusiast, enjoys writing and playing music. He would like to thank such an amazing cast and crew for an incredible experience on this show. As well as his family and friends for always supporting him.

Andrew & Sir Topas – Mychelle Culver
Mychelle is thrilled to be part of her first production with Band of Bards! After seven years away from the stage, she is excited to return to performing for the first time since college. Outside of theatre, Mychelle enjoys hiking, attending Seattle Mariners games, and traveling. She would like to thank her friends for encouraging her to get back into theatre and her family for their continued love and support.

Fabian- Drew Sage
Here Drew is! He’s playing Fabian again. This time, even more chaotic and more under the influence.

Feste – Izzy Murphy
Izzy Murphy is thrilled to be working with Band of Bards for the first time. Izzy has played violin since she was a wee lass. Always willing to whip out the strings onstage, Izzy has performed as an Actor/Musician around Seattle with Wooden O (The Tempest), Greenstage (Much Ado), and Seattle Public Theatre (Indy Jones…). Other favorite productions include Perfect Arrangement (Woodinville Repertory Theatre), Bee Present (SecondStory Repertory Theatre), and Freckleface Strawberry (SSR). All love to John and PJ.

Valentine – Michele Palmer
Michele Palmer (Pirate Wench) is delighted to be part of the Band of Bards’ Twelfth Night—A Pirate Story. No scallywag she, Michele has been a drunken misfit in Our Town, a kitchen wench in Once Upon a Mattress, and a delusional alcoholic mother in Carrots in the Fridge. Shiver me timbers, has the lass been typecast? Aye, but alas, what recourse has she? Thank you all for joining us today to share
the antics of the picaroons. Love and fair winds to my family, friends, and greyhounds.

Antonio – Adam Nyhoff
Adam Nyhoff is a recent transplant from Michigan, stoked to be working with his best friends to being these shenanigans to life. He is also a musician going by the name Empty Armor, and can be found anywhere you listen to music! He would like to thank his dreams for downright refusing to leave his head, and his family for their unending support. He would also like to echo his brother’s words: “You can be whatever you want, but always be kind.”
Meet the Production Team!
Thanks to all the help from the wonderful teams from behind the scenes!
Director – Renni Elliot
See bio for Captain Orsino


Assistant Director/Set Design – Juli Brown
See bio above for Cesario/Viola
Stage Manager – Jordan Mielbrecht
See bio for Malvolio


Fight Choreographer – Dani Hanlon
See bio for Sebastian
Intimacy Coordinator – Chelsey Sheppard
Chelsey Sheppard is a Seattle based actor and fight/intimacy director, performing and choreographing on stages all around Puget Sound. They are excited to be returning to Band of Bard’s summer show, after working as an Intimacy Director on The Hypochondriac last summer. Love to Jeryn, Cash, and Jamal.


Music Director – Drew Winston
Drew Winston (He/They) is a Seattle based Actor, Music Director, and Educator. Drew studied Music and Theatre Arts at Western Washington University, with an emphasis in physical acting and Movement, before moving to the Seattle area in 2024. Previous Music Direction credits include Beetlejuice Jr., Something Rotten! (Edmonds Heights), First Date (Flooded Productions), The Trail to Oregon (Red Curtain Foundation), Falsettos (WWU), and more. Professional acting credits include The Grown Ups (Dacha Theatre), Doctor DeSoto (Seattle Children’s Theatre), Deathtrap (Woodinville Rep), and Fairview (Fairhaven Summer Rep). Thanks to the Hanlons, Band of Bards, Ethan and friends.
Special Thanks To:
Michele Palmer for allowing us to take over her yard as a rehearsal space!
Ken Michels for loaning us some of the amazing weapons you saw used in the show!
Lee Ann Hittenberger for helping so much with all the fight choreography!
Jace Tucker for taking our cast headshots!
Kiera Stevens for the beard!
Debbie Bly-Olson for fueling the cast and being so accommodating!
This show is dedicated to
Miss Mary Springer
This is a memorial piece for Miss Mary <3
