Summit Players Theatre, a traveling, nonprofit theatre company that provides free Shakespeare performances and workshops in the Wisconsin State Parks, will perform “Macbeth” at the Wildcat Mountain State Park amphitheater in rural Ontario on Friday, Aug. 4.
All performances will be free and preceded by a 45-minute educational workshop. The workshop will be at 5:30 p.m.; and the show, at 7 p.m.
“We’re bringing something a little different to the parks for our eighth tour,” said Executive Director A.J. Magoon, a founding member of the organization. “Rest assured — our “Macbeth” will be spooky, but not scary. We’re committed to making all of our plays accessible and enjoyable for everyone in the family — get ready for plenty of action and fun alongside the drama.”
The group’s educational workshop, “Inside Shakespeare’s Story: ‘Macbeth,’” is new this year and offered before every show. The workshop may help kids and parents alleviate concerns about Macbeth’s more serious or tragic aspects. It serves as a way for kids and “fun adults” to get comfortable with the play, Shakespeare’s language and the way nature played into his works. Participants take part in Shakespeare games and exercises culminating in performing a short scene.
Each “Macbeth” show will be 75 minutes long and completely free, in accordance with the company’s mission of creating Shakespeare anyone can afford, attend, and understand. Through a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Summit Players are also able to introduce audiences around the state to their local parks.
This year, the Summit Players team boasts two new members, actor Matthew Torkilsen, who will also serve as a teaching artist for the company, as well as tour manager Natasha Goeller.
“The workshop is a great way to learn about the play and how plays like this can still be exciting and interesting, even if they’re more serious,” said Caroline Norton, education director and six-year alumna of the company’s tours. “Plus, the workshop content changes and the play changes, which means that people who have seen our shows for years will enjoy everything just as much as people who have never seen us before.”
Summit Players Theatre’s 2023 season is supported in part by grants from the Wisconsin Arts Board and Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities.
The following is the Summit Players Theatre’s schedule for the rest of the season:
• Friday, Aug. 4 — Wildcat Mountain State Park (workshop at 5:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.)
• Saturday, Aug. 5 — Merrick State Park (workshop at 5:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.)
• Sunday, Aug. 6 — Perrot State Park (workshop at 1 p.m. and show at 2:30 p.m.)
• Friday, August 11 — Lake Wissota State Park (workshop at 5:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.)
• Sunday, Aug. 12 — Interstate State Park (workshop at 5:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.)
• Friday, Aug. 18 — Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit (workshop at 5:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.)
• Saturday, Aug. 19 — Havenwoods State Forest Workshop (workshop at 5:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.)
