I know that my blogging has been relatively low this school year, but there’s a particular reason that it’s been virtually dormant over the past two or three months. Why? I’m in my school’s production of Macbeth, William Shakespeare’s famous (or infamous, if you prefer) tragedy about a man who betrays everything he has for his lust for power. My role is Lennox, a Scottish noble who hangs around and comments on the goings on. It’s actually a very fitting part for me–not too big, not too small, with a cool scene where I get to be appropriately sarcastic and remorseful. (Just don’t confuse it with Linux or Linus Torvalds.)
Now, why the heck am I in Macbeth anyway? This is the first time I’ve been in any drama production since 2002, and THAT was just some silly fifth grade class play. It didn’t involve memorizing a significant number of lines (particularly lines that are 450 years old), costumes, fancy lights, or–horror of horrors–makeup. Well, the new semester came around in January, and advertisements about auditions for Macbeth went around. And I don’t know why, but somehow I got the urge to give it a try. Maybe it was the fact that reading Macbeth was one of the only things I liked about sophomore English, or because (as I’ve very recently discovered) reading Shakespeare is actually enjoyable and soothing for me, or simply because I had a mid-senior-year life crisis and had the desire to try something I’ll never get to try again in my life.
I must say, it’s been quite a ride since I auditioned for this play ten weeks ago. What has transpired during our eight straight weeks of rehearsal has been nothing short of magical, both for me personally and for the entire production. Working with Mr. Smuin, our director, and with the other experienced members of our cast has been such an amazing and rewarding experience that has really helped me discover a hidden inner talent and develop it to new heights. It has also been an incredible bonding experience as we have all come together, worked together, and helped each other towards a common goal. And quite frankly, it’s refreshing for me to find an activity where I’m not one of the bigger fish in the pond and am actually forced to follow, not lead. So many groups of people have contributed so much to bring this play, one of the most complicated stage productions for a high school to possibly attempt, to be such a production that transcends all description of how wonderful it is. Just seeing the play performed now is an experience, not to mention what participating in the process of putting it together over nine weeks is like. It makes the daily after-school rehearsals ending at 7 or 8 PM so totally worth it.
Macbeth opens Thursday, March 26, at 7 PM, and will also be performed Friday and Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. Preview night is tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 25, at 7 PM. The performance will take place in the Aragon High School Memorial Theater in San Mateo (view map). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens or students w/ valid ID, and can be purchased online or at the door. Preview night tickets are $5 each available only at the door.
