Student theater moves forward with ‘Macbeth’
A new student production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” tentatively set to perform Nov. 18 and 19, highlights an exponential growth in interest in extracurricular student theater shows this year.
“People are taking student theater way more seriously this semester,” said director and ‘09 alumnus Bryce McKay. “It’s a great way for students to learn about theater outside of class because not everyone has the opportunity to [participate] in a season show.”
Student shows, which are rarely included in the Harper Joy season, are put on by the drama community. Before this year, student shows such as Lunch Box productions (which take place during the lunch hour in Harper Joy’s Freimann stage) were usually small, simple shows that only occurred a few times a semester. This year has seen a dramatic change in the way student productions are approached as well as a growing interest in student theater itself.
“Last year’s ‘Francis’ [an interactive zombie musical] was a big change for the student show format,” said McKay. “There was also a technically complex production of ‘The Oresteia’ earlier this semester, so there is definitely a growing interest in working outside of Harper Joy.”
“I think student theater is really important to a lot of people,” said sophomore “Macbeth” stage manager Sarah Wright. “For a lot of us, it just needs to happen.”
The student production of “Macbeth” involves a series of fresh new twists to the old tale, as well as a new place to stage it—the show will take place outside of Harper Joy Theater’s walls and instead will use the foyer of Kimball Hall as an interactive stage and audience space.
“We’re going to have fun playing with the levels and being close to the audience,” said McKay. “Also, this version of ‘Macbeth’ is very modern. It takes place in a kind of Wall Street-style setting.”
McKay and his crew will also work to ensure that the upcoming production is a more all-inclusive show.
“Everyone who wants to be involved can be involved,” he said. “We’re trying not to restrict anyone from participating because it’s an opportunity to learn.”
Although the show has high ambitions and wants to include as many people as possible, McKay and Wright noted some of the difficulties in being so flexible.
“We try to work around students who are in Harper Joy productions, but it’s tough,” said McKay. “Harper Joy has a monopoly on the 7 to 10 p.m. time slot, which is the prime rehearsal time for students.”
“It’s really difficult because Whitman students are involved in about a billion things,” said Wright.
This year’s movement towards student theater, according to McKay, is partly due to Harper Joy Theater’s more difficult and competitive season shows.
“‘Romeo and Juliet’ had more auditions than any of [Professor Chris Petit’s] shows, and the upcoming ‘Frenzy’ show has only about eight actors in it,” said McKay. “The musical was cast way in advance, so there was a more limited participation outlet this semester . . . and more competitive casting for shows.”
For Wright, the opportunities for student theater greatly outweigh the difficulties in rehearsing and putting on shows.
“Students have so many opportunities, and have their own vision without having to work around faculty,” said Wright. “People get really excited about it because student theater is so fresh and new and people support it, which is good.”
With creative new ideas and a broadened perspective of performance space, student theater at Whitman College doesn’t look like its going away any time soon. If anything, the growing complexity and drive of these new shows has only just begun.
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