The BSM theater department performed the renowned Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth this past weekend. Though the cast was only ten people, they proved to be powerful nonetheless. The commitment to character, unexpected twists, and audience interactions made the play fascinating to watch.
The first thing that stood out to me about BSM’s Macbeth was the location of the play being in the Atrium. I had been to several BSM productions before, but those took place in the theater with stage lights and sound systems. To me, the play’s new location made the experience feel more real; it was compelling to see the cast so vividly in broad daylight. I felt that being up close let me capture the characters’ emotions easily, and the lack of sound effects and lights gave the play a more “raw” feel.
Because the audience was fortunate enough to be in such close contact with the cast, it opened the door for playful interactions between them. I definitely wasn’t expecting this, mainly because I’m familiar with the play and know it’s pretty tragic and gory. The interactions put a lively spin on a violent story, which kept me on edge and intrigued. I was curious to see who the cast would interact with next, and each audience member provided a unique response that made the play even more exciting.
What was so impressive about the production in general was the short amount of time the cast had to put everything together. Jake Mahler, math teacher and head of the theater department, briefly mentioned before the play that the cast had less than two weeks to come together and figure out how to stage everything. For a Shakespearean play, that is no easy feat. I was so impressed with the quality of play that was put out with such little time to practice.
Lastly, my favorite part was the general commitment and compassion displayed by the cast. Some standouts to me were senior Jonathan McMerty-Brummer as Macbeth and senior Christopher McCaffrey as Macduff. During the last act, the two have an epic battle that ends with Macduff killing Macbeth, and the play ends on a wild and exciting note.
Every student should attend a BSM play at least once in their high school career. It is crucial to recognize every student and their passions, even if they differ from yours. Acknowledging the unique parts of our community will make us thrive and help highlight the diverse talent across the Red Knight Community. The theater department is by far underappreciated by some members of our community, especially considering the long hours and commitment they put into putting together a show. If you ever have the chance to catch a BSM theater production, do it. You won’t regret it!