In The News: NHS takes raw approach to Macbeth

Written by: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic 

Minimalist set design puts the focus on dialogue, character and story in this year's Shakespeare production

After taking advantage of new theater director Mike McConaughey’s area of expertise to build expansive and complex sets for its first two productions of the year, the Newberg High School drama troupe is taking the opposite approach with its final play of the school year.

Since McConaughey suggested the students could use projections in the set design, they have run with the idea of a minimalist approach for their upcoming production of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth,’ which opens Thursday.

The set will consist primarily of images of interiors and exteriors cast on three large screens, putting most of the weight of the show on the acting.

“The projections are coming along, but it is a lot of pressure on us because we have nothing to interact with on stage, so it’s a lot of ourselves just bare,” said junior Sophia Caruso, who plays Lady MacBeth. “It’s more difficult than I thought it would be, but it’s working out just fine.”

Jordan Johns, who is playing the title role opposite Caruso for half of the shows, said the minimalist approach is both pushing the actors further and highlighting the thematic choices the students have made, including setting the play in the Northeast in the 1920s.

The production also plays up the theme of time and death with a watch motif and deploys color very purposefully.

“The murderers have more of a gangster vibe and some of the witch folks take on homeless Hooverville type of feel,” McConaughey noted.

The production isn’t holding many punches when it comes to using blood, matching the raw approach to the story.

“It’s a very dark play, so blood is kind of a necessity,” Johns said.

Travis Cox will play Macbeth opposite Elsie McConaughey in the other run of shows, but the two lead roles are the only ones double cast, with Alex Foufous portraying Banquo and Kenny Graeber taking on King Duncan in all performances. The roles of Fleance (Blake Blmaseda), Macduff (Keeghan Vanderwater), Lady Macduff (Letha Clark), Malcom (Luke Hartley), Donalbain (Sammy Duffin) and Hecate (Amy Lowe) are single cast as well.

McConaughey has appreciated the strength of the Shakespeare program he inherited from drama program founder and NHS auditorium namesake Drea Ferguson, and is enjoying the opportunity to work with such experienced students, who are taking the lead on the production just like they did under his predecessor.

“They have their committees and showcase where they talk about all the different aspects, from tech to costumes to marketing,” he said. “It’s a very well-organized enterprise. It’s fun to be a part of.”

He also pointed out that the production has benefitted from collaborations outside the program itself, as George Fox University donated projectors and the school district IT department built a computer to run the displays. Family and consumer science students (formerly home economics) are also contributing fabric pieces to frame the projection screens, which were purchased special for the production.

“I think we’re really familial and it’s really nice to have done this with the people that I have because I’ve connected with a lot of people that I didn’t really know before,” Caruso added.

The troupe will host 7 p.m. performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as April 28-30. Tickets are $10 for adults or $6 for students and seniors.