Preparing for Shakespeare's MacBeth and the 2026 Heart of America Shakespeare In The Park Festival

Описание: On March 9, 2026, Sidonie Garrett, Executive Artistic Director of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, offered a behind-the-scenes view of the upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in Summer 2026. Ms. Garrett has directed 24 seasons of productions for the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, which takes place each June/July in Southmoreland Park near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Drawing on her experience directing plays in New York and for local theaters including the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, Coterie Theatre, KC Actors Theatre, and Unicorn Theatre, she also offers an insider perspective on the Kansas City theater scene.
This was not a descriptive lecture. In fact, it was a performance by Sidonie that covered many of the planning aspects, expressed in her own expressive way, of how one gets to the engrossing tale of MacBeth, as written by Shakespeare centuries ago, to a performance play, placed in the Middle Ages when witchcraft ruled kingdoms and fate. How does she plan and envision this play this time, the second time that she has directed MacBeth, after 15 years? How do you adjust to the park setting of Shakespeare In The Park, quite different from a stage indoors? Choosing a cast of professionals and amateurs that can express her philosophy. Who will play the three witches, the powerful driving force behind King MacBeth that will kill so many players on the stage in battle? Even, how it may reflect indirectly on our times. What is the curse of MacBeth? The description of her thought processes and choices was an engaging performance from beginning to end.
The audience of emeriti of the University of Missouri-Kansas City remained spellbound. This was part of the monthly program series by the Emeritus College of UMKC for emeriti and interested guests.

Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://www.umkc.edu/emeritus