GBC Theatre Program Presents The Tragedy of Macbeth

The Great Basin College Theatre Program will present The Tragedy of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Tuesday October 17 through Saturday October 21 at 7:30 each evening. A 2:00 PM matinee performance will held on Saturday, October 21 at 2:00 PM. All admissions are $10. Advance tickets are on sale in the GBC Elko Campus Business Office in Berg Hall, or at the door.

"This is arguably the most innovative and collaborative production of Shakespeare we have ever created," says Great Basin College Theatre Director John Patrick Rice. "Our production integrates the traditions of live Shakespearean theatre with the innovation of modern technology. We are blending live performance with filmed performances on stage."

Rice says he was inspired by Joel Coen’s film production of the play with Denzel Washington as Macbeth and Francis McDormand as Lady Macbeth. "It seemed to me that Coen used traditional stage techniques to tell the story in film. We have flipped that concept and are integrating film onto the traditional stage."

Rice has also been inspired by his many collaborators. "I am fortunate to be able to work with Amber Adeline Day, a graduate of Elko High who holds a masters degree in performing arts with an emphasis on film production. Amber is one of the most creative people I have worked with. She brings a joy and energy to our work that is hard to match."

"I’m also thrilled to be working with seasoned GBC actors, some of them GBC alumni, and all of whom are excited about the collaborative nature of this piece of work. One of my objectives as a theatre educator has been to create actors who don’t need directors. I think this cast exemplifies the idea of an 'acting company'. Everyone is making equal contributions to the creative process."

Dawn Viola is the cinematographer. "Dawn is the GBC Theatre’s technical director and an accomplished theatre artist in her own right. It is her eye that is creating the film work audiences will experience." The Macbeth Company spent two days filming portions of the play in the Stone Wall neighborhood of Pine and Court Streets in downtown Elko using that setting as the battlements of Dunsinane and the Wood of Birnam.

The production has not been limited to Elko students. "Because we filmed portions of the play, students from other GBC campuses came to Elko to participate. We have actors from every corner of rural Nevada."

Rice adapted the script over the summer and the entire story will be told in one-act, in just over an hour. "I’m pleased with the adaptation", Rice said. "I worked with some of my old classmates from graduate school to edit the script to an essential telling of the story without sacrificing any of the audience expectations of Macbeth."

Rice said the editing created a happy accident for student actors. "Shakespeare is challenging no matter what. However, our adaptation allows our actors to concentrate on telling the story with clarity. They get to spend less time memorizing lines, and more time assuring they deliver the story with clarity. They are receiving a valuable academic and artistic experience of Shakespeare, and so will our audiences."

For More Information Contact

Great Basin College
1500 College Parkway
Elko, Nevada 89801

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Why Great Basin College

Great Basin College, "The Gold Standard in the Silver State", offers associate and baccalaureate level education in academic, career and technical fields. Welcoming over 4,000 students annually from all corners of the country, both online and at our various campuses and centers, GBC's presence extends across two time zones and spans more than 86,000 square miles throughout Nevada. A leader in rural higher education, GBC takes pride in developing students who are well-prepared to meet the demands of industry and who contribute to the success and prosperity of the local economy.