The West Liberty Hilltop Players will present The Tragedy of Macbeth on February 23-24 and March 1-3 at 7:30 pm and on March 4th at 3:00 pm. Performing in a Shakespearean production offers unique challenges that Michael Aulick, WLU Director, is proud the program was ready to take on.
“Shakespeare characters are difficult. They are noble and passionate and smart and require a level of performer that many other realistic plays do not. We saw the WLU Theatre majors continue to achieve performances on a high level and knew this year we would include a Shakespearean production”.
Many students fill the cast with Derek Park and Renee Zelinski playing the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, respectively. Park has enjoyed the challenge and says, “This role is the most challenging role I have ever had to play. The mindset of this character is something that I’ve had to work on almost non-stop. However, I believe that the time and effort I have put into this character will be well worth it.”
Zelinski adds, “The most difficult thing about the play was settling into my character. Once I truly understood her, all of Shakespeare’s words made sense.”
The production provides the students a chance to work with stage combat. Shaun Rolly, Pittsburgh based Fight Choreographer, has spent several rehearsals teaching broadsword and basic stage combat. Park says, “A few weeks ago, I didn’t have any stage combat experience. Now, I have three fights under my belt.”
Due to all of the opportunities it offers our students to continue to improve their abilities, The Tragedy of Macbeth will be a triumph for the Theatre program.
Macbeth By William ShakespeareThe Tragedy of Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays because of its tight plot and lyrical poetry. It is noted for the exceptional simplicity of the plot and the directness of the action. There are no significant subplots to complicate the action, there is little mixing of the form to lighten the dark picture of criminal ambition, only the steady march toward an inevitable catastrophe. This tragedy illustrates the conventional poetic justice that demands the “triumph of the righteous” and the “downfall of the wicked”.
TICKETS:
$10 – General Admission
$5 – WLU Students (with ID)
To make a reservation, please call 304.336.8277.