Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Gina Stanton
Auditions: January 2027
Performances: April 2027
Summary:
The Tragedy of Macbeth mixes witchcraft, prophecy, and murder.
Three witches prophesy that a general, Macbeth will become the King of Scotland, and that the descendants of Banquo, his fellow general, will also reign. In hopes of helping the prophecy along, Macbeth and his wife plot to assassinate King Duncan. Upon his untimely death, Duncan’s two sons flee while Macbeth is crowned. Macbeth has Banquo killed, hoping to subvert the prophecy. Macbeth's guilt and paranoia begins to descend into madness, and he is haunted by Banquo’s ghost.
Macbeth quickly becomes a violent and feared tyrant, and blood soaks the land as the people begin to rise up.
Director's Vision:
Our production of Macbeth will lean into Southern Gothic horror. It takes place in the Appalachian mountains, somewhat outside of time, where rusted tools, overgrown forests, moonshine jars, flickering lanterns, and ghostly mountain fog paint a picture of a land that does not suffer the weak or foolish. The weird sisters are the living embodiment of the witch's archetypes: maiden, mother, and crone, while acting in their daily lives as folk healers. There is poverty, grit, hard-work, and determination evident in every corner of this world - from Lady Macbeth, to Banquo, to Macduff, Fleance, Siward, the Porter - even King Duncan himself. Violence and ambition are matched only by the terror-inspiring folklore and superstitions of the area. There is both strength and horror in the land - and in the people.
In a world trying to move on from the old ways, destiny still rules, and fate is as real as the dirt beneath your feet. Power often grows where fear takes root. But here and now, men no longer fear and respect the old gods and traditions. Instead they both revere and fear one another, often in equal measure, opening the door for devils to walk among us - even if those devils are men.
There is sin and salvation, and there may well be a haunting in the holler. Whether the lore and legends are real and true or if they are simply fictional, sensationalized accounts from paranoid minds - does it matter? Because no man can escape his sins in the hills. There is a cost in breaking the circle and departing from the natural order, and the land will take its due.
The earth remembers every drop of blood.