Berks Theatre Department presents 'Macbeth' Nov. 8–11

Poster for Berks Theatre production of Macbeth

The Penn State Berks Theatre Department will present the Shakespearean classic, "Macbeth," Nov. 8-11.

Credit: Penn State

READING, Pa. — The Penn State Berks Theatre Department will present the Shakespearean classic, "Macbeth," at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, through Saturday, Nov. 11, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for general admission; $5 for Penn State students, staff and faculty; and free for area high school students. 

Directed by Jim Brown, instructor in theatre at Penn State Berks, this version of "Macbeth' will emphasize the theme of temptation rather than ambition. Brown has renamed the Witches as Enchanters who tempt Macbeth with thoughts of becoming what he is not. The Enchanters are always on stage watching as they transform into a number of characters, tempting everyone they meet. 

Berks Theater student Taylor Clark Housel will portray Macbeth and Kayla Kasmari will portray Lady Macbeth. The cast is rounded out by Christopher Adams as King Duncan/Old Siward; Evan Barton as Malcolm; Charles Carr as Donalbain/Fleance/Young Siward; Caleb Cleck as Ross; Thomas Heiler as Macduff; Daniel Jankauskas as Lennox; and Brandon Reimer as Banquo. Other student actors in the production include Katelyn Bennett, Anjené Dozier, Tessa Eberlein, Keara McInerney and Yamilex Rodriguez Ortiz.

Daniel Harper will serve as the stage manager, Andrew Bush as student sound designer, and Jake Slominski as student assistant lighting designer. Theatre faculty members Cory Palmer will serve as faculty scenic designer/technical director; Robin Buckwalter as faculty costume/makeup designer; and Christopher Connelly as faculty lighting designer.

Penn State Berks Bachelor of Arts in Theatre provides students with a solid foundation to become successful theatre artists and effective theatre educators. The degree program also trains students in the skills to become effective communicators and professional program managers.

For more information, contact Brown at 610-396-6419 or via email at [email protected].