“Something wicked this way comes…”

The Shakespearean play “Macbeth” will be put on by the drama department Feb. 6-8 at 7:30 on the main stage. Tickets are $5 for students and $6 for adults and can be purchased at the door.

Head of the drama department and the director of the play Kathleen Barbara decided to put a spin on the classic Shakespearean work by giving it a corporate setting and modern design. 

“I would like to say that I have a lot of great, high-minded ideas and that I want to make it more contemporary for the audience–which is true,” Barbara said. “But one of the real reasons is that it’s just cheaper to do it that way. Renaissance costumes are a lot of money, and I also think the audience relates better if its a more modern setting.” 

The cast has been rehearsing nearly every day and said they are feeling nervous but excited as they gear up for opening night. 

“I think rehearsals are going well,” Barbara said. “Everybody is working really hard and we are going to put on the best show that we can.”

Olivia Henderson, who plays Lady Macbeth in the production, said she found her character to be tricky to get to know, but is confident in the one she has built. 

“At first, it was really hard because there are a lot of different ways you can take it,” Henderson said. “I thought I liked my character one way, and then I just changed my mind. It makes you feel really overwhelmed because there is just a lot of different stuff, but then once you take a step back and forget everything for a minute, you can build from the bottom to the top and you’ll have something you like.”

Shakespeare is not for everyone, considering the complexity of the old language, but the cast is working hard to make it more universal for the audience. 

“I’m really excited,” Henderson said. “I just hope that they can understand the language because a lot of people can’t, but if they have prior knowledge then they should.”

Henderson said the actors will do their best to present the story in a universal manner and want audience members to relax and take in the show, rather than overthink it. 

“Don’t read into it too hard because we are saying ‘doth’ and ‘dow’ and it is hard to understand, but you can kind of understand based on key words and specific adjectives and just by the action that’s going on,” she said.

Even those who may doubt their comprehension of Shakespearean language can find a way to still enjoy the play. 

“Listen to it the way you’d listen to music,” Barbara said. “I think you’ll get the gist of things.”