For ISU students Nick Juelsgaard and Mat Wymore, the chance to perform in a Shakespeare play is more than a great opportunity — it’s a chance to better understand his work.

“When you read a play, you can read it a hundred times and not entirely understand what’s going on,” Juelsgaard said.

“When you watch it happen, when you see the characters interacting, it makes so much more sense.”

After the two began studying Shakespeare, they realized they had more than just an love for his plays — they hoped to perform in one of his plays in order to apply the knowledge they had learned in class.

Juelsgaard, senior in performing arts, and Wymore, senior in performing arts and electrical engineering, will perform in ISU Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy “Twelfth Night.” The story is of Viola, a shipwrecked woman who disguises herself as a boy and becomes a servant to a Duke.

During auditions for “Twelfth Night” early in the semester, both Juelsgaard and Wymore said they felt confidence in their abilities to perform.

With previous Shakespeare acting classes under their belt, they were ready to test their skills.

Wymore didn’t try out for a specific part, but felt positive about getting one because of previous class work.

Juelsgaard, on the other hand, had two parts in mind — Sir Andrew Aguecheek or Sir Toby Belch.

Wymore was casted as Duke Orsino and Juelsgaard as Belch.

At first, Juelsgaard said he was hoping for the part of Aguecheek, but he found himself connecting with his character more than he had expected.

Juelsgaard said that, because his part contains more dialogue than any other he’s previously played, it’s given him a lot of experience, as an actor.

For Wymore, the experience has given him a better understanding of how to be clearer with the meaning of words, how to pursue an objective and what it actually takes to do a live Shakespeare play.

Wymore said his character is a much different role than he’s ever played. Despite the newness of the role, he feels good about getting the part.

“I’ve never really gotten the chance to play the sort of the guy in love, but also the guy who’s got the political power,” Wymore said. “This is a completely different part for me.”

Juelsgaard and Wymore, in addition to the rest of the cast, have surpassed any and all expectations Adam Heffernan, director and lecturer of music, had in bringing professionalism to the stage.

“They became quite comfortable with the language early on,” Heffernan said. “They’ve managed to personalize it so well that it seems like they’re talking modern day English.”

Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12

2 p.m. Dec. 13

Where: Fisher Theater

Runtime: 1 hour 15 minutes (with a 15 minute intermission)

Cost: $8 for ISU students, $15 for adults, $13 for seniors

A woman named Viola thinks her twin brother is dead. After getting ship wrecked, she dresses like a boy and becomes of service to a certain Duke. As the story unfolds, a love triangle becomes the center of the action.