'Macbeth' to be Performed at Pitt-Bradford

A stripped-down version of William Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy will be performed this week at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The Division of Communication and the Arts will present “Macbeth” at 7:30 p.m. April 8, 9 and 10 and 2 p.m. April 11 in the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall.
Tickets are $6 for the public and $2 for students, and the performance is part of the university’s Spectrum Series.

“We’ve made it even leaner and more intense, and the student cast is attacking it with great speed and even greater heart,” said Dr. Kevin Ewert, associate professor of theater at Pitt-Bradford. “The Studio Theatre is set up in a modified thrust arrangement, with the audience close to the action. You might call it ‘Chamber Shakespeare.’”

Composed by Shakespeare in the early 1600s, the tragedy follows Macbeth’s ill-fated, ill-advised attempt to be king of Scotland.

“Shakespeare’s play tells the story of a man who, in order to gain a little bit of power, finds himself killing his friends,” Ewert said. “In our production, all of the major characters are there and, with only a couple of exceptions, so are all the scenes. We’ve just pared it down as close to the bone as we can."

Among students acting in “Macbeth” are: Benjamin Babcox, a broadcast communications major from Smethport; Josh Ellson, a pre-radiological science major from Export; Jeremy Freer, a broadcast communications major from Cyclone; Romainne Harrod, an English major from Peoria, Ariz.; Carnell Lawson, a broadcast communications major from Trainer, Del.; Karley Miller, a communications major from Derrick City; Brianna Pollock, a broadcast communications major from Doylestown; Allan Swart, an English education 7-12 and writing major from Corry; Brandon Tully, an interdisciplinary arts major from Bradford; Zach Work, an economics and applied mathematics major from Erie; and Kate Yeagle, a broadcast communications major from Newville.

Seating for this production is limited, so reservations are strongly recommended. For tickets, contact the Bromeley Family Theater box office at (814) 362-5113.

For disability-related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at (814) 362-7609 or arj4@pitt.edu.

Carnell Lawson as Banquo and Brandon Tully as Macbeth rehearse "Macbeth" to be performed at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford this week. Tickets are available by calling the Bromeley Family Theater box office at (814) 362-5113.

(Photo by Dr. Kevin Ewert)