Thank you for joining us as Whitney High School presents William Shakespeare's Macbeth.
I have always wanted to play Macbeth. There is something about the arc of the character that gives me this unsettled feeling that I can't quite shake. I want to box him in, make sense of him, be able to explain his feelings, his choices, his desires. I didn't realize the joy I would find in directing not only Macbeth, but Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Lady Macduff, Banquo, King Duncan, and Malcom. I knew them from having taught the play in an English class many years ago. But only the rigorous theatrical process could really make them real to me. I hope during tonight's performance, you're able to feel and understand them as I have.
The actors who play the characters have been through one of the great challenges of their lives; Playing Shakespeare. We studied the history of James I, for whom the play was written. We looked at the history that inspired the play, the real and added characters, the culture that at the time was struggling with the notion of whichcraft and how that might play a role in society. We dared broach the concept of Iambic Pentameter before our heads exploded. We discussed the power of punctuation and allowing it to be our friend. The question had to be asked many a time, "Do you know what you're saying?" Only to recieve an attempted "Yes, no, I think so, no, well, I need to look at it more" type response. But it was fun. And this cast has maintained a supurb attitude and showed incredible grit along the way. Thank goodness for the battles, beheadings, stabbings, and conjuring of evil spirits or we may not have survived.
As always, I would like to personally thank those who have helped directly or indirectly through this process. Thank you to my parents, who have had to listen to my incessant ranting about the difficulties of teaching students how to express themselves outwardly during these times. Thank you to Forest, who doesn't listen to any excuses about how hard my day has been. Come evening time, I better toughen up and pet him now, or live with the conseqeunces. Thank you Luna, who cares, but takes a different, more playful approach, and insists that ball time at the park is life itself, and all else is "but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage...and is heard no more." I have oft found I need that time at the park more than she. I honestly don't know who it's for anymore. Finally, and most importantly, to my wonderful and beautiful wife Mallory, who has endured and listened to my tragedies and celebrations, and is always there in my hour of need. We are welcoming a new baby boy to the world in just a few short months and couldn't be more thrilled as we take on this new challenge together.
As a courtesy to myself, and the parents of Zach Didier, Laura and Chris, please take the time to look over and explore the information on the page "Song for Charlie."
Thank you and enjoy the show!
Special Thanks To...
- Mrs. Ansley
- Ms. Toepke
- Marty Flowers
- Bella Leyva and WHS Graphics Classes
- Roisin LeRoy
- Parents and families of the cast and crew
- Whitney High Graphics
- Whitney High Administration
- Alpha Graphics
- Some students in Theatre Tech Classes
- Bret Penner (JustPrintItInk)
- Gary Jones ("The Winning Shot" https://thewinningshot.zenfolio.com/f155753769)
- Kevin Mitchell (Affinity Video)
