This April, the Millsaps Theatre Department will perform its rendition of The Tragedie of Macbeth. Though Macbeth is a popular Shakespearean work, the cast and crew are working diligently to ensure the production is an exciting watch while still being well-informed.
Director Sam Sparks and English professor Dr. Eric Griffin work collaboratively to teach Performing Shakespeare, which culminates in a spring play. This professor duo ensures students have the foreknowledge to perform a well-rounded, entertaining production.
Preparation for the show includes intense study of both Shakespeare’s literary work and dress rehearsals.
“We’ve been talking about performance techniques, analytical techniques and we’ve done a really deep dive into the themes of the play and how to make those relevant to a contemporary audience,” Sparks said. “People tend to think of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth as completely evil characters, but they don’t start out that way, there’s more to it.”
Key to learning what’s behind the actions and motivations of the characters is the dual-focused approach Sparks and Griffin use to teach the course.
Julia Kennedy, an English major, enjoys analyzing the content comprehensively. “Not only are we practicing the lines and learning the context, but we’re also viewing different shows that have been done in the past and looking more deeply into the text,” she said, “It’s really cool because you get to delve into the original text, as opposed to looking only at the author or the brief commentary that sits alongside the script.”
You may think Macbeth is an outdated work, but this production is sure to reach its audience.
Beyond analyzing the original text and the meaning behind it, students are working together to uncover why Macbeth matters today.
Claire Azordegan, a Spanish and anthropology double major, explained, “We’re really trying to emphasize aspects of the text and the production that read more to a modern audience. Themes that I didn’t pick up on the first time are being highlighted to be relevant to today’s audience, like familial issues, paranoia and ambition. It’s applicable today and the audience can still get something out of it.”
Without spoiling the production, it’s safe to say there will be plenty of drama, witches, battles and hauntings, so this genre-bending work will have something for everyone.
Interested in seeing the Macbeth production? Showtimes run April 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m., and April 13 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.