November 7, 2024 • 20 mins
Today we are at the Oregon High School Performing Arts Center to get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming production of Macbeth. We’re talking with the Director, Mike Ducett, along with a few of our senior cast members.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER1:
Today we are at the Oregon High School Performing Arts Center to get a behind
the scenes look at the upcoming production of Macbeth. (00:00):
undefined
We're talking with the director, Mike Ducett, along with a few cast members.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:15):
undefined
Here is your host, lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Doctor LeslieBergstrom.
SPEAKER1: Thanks for having us today. (00:28):
undefined
I know that rehearsals are in full swing, and we're excited to hear how it'sbeen going.
Could you start by introducing yourself and refreshing the audience a littlebit about your role at OHS and this production?
Yeah.
SPEAKER3: Hi, I'm Mike Ducett. (00:43):
undefined
I am an English teacher here at OHS.
Been here for about 20 years, and I have been directing plays and musicalssince, I think the 2010 school year here at Oregon High School.
So been around the block, so to say, quite a few times here in the theater, atthe high school.
And I'm really excited to be directing Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth, andit's the first time I have brought a Shakespeare play to the stage that I've
(01:09):
directed. And so this has been a tremendous challenge in working with thisclassic material and finding meaning in it for our students.
And I think it's been a pretty fruitful, um, experience so far.
SPEAKER1: Well, thank you. So without giving anything away, could you give our listeners a little preview of the storyline and what they can expect? (01:22):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Sure. It's a tale that dabbles a little bit with the supernatural, as Macbeth encounters a couple of witches who give him some predictions that he will (01:29):
undefined
someday become the king of Scotland, and it kind of gets his wheels turning inhis brain, along with the help of his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is also
kind of equally manipulative.
(01:49):
And they begin to scheme together ways to become king and queen.
One would be to get rid of the current king, who is King Duncan, and from thatpoint on, their lives never really returned to normal, as they deal with the
consequences of their unchecked ambition and power, and eventually the guilt oftheir own actions undermines them both, in a--in a sense.
SPEAKER1: I think that sounds like a timeless storyline. (02:11):
undefined
SPEAKER3: It is a very much timeless, timeless tale and a warning about kind of that sense of unchecked ambition and power and the drive and how that can be sometimes (02:14):
undefined
deadly and dangerous.
SPEAKER1: So one thing I've always admired about our productions is the involvement of students in every aspect of it. (02:25):
undefined
So can you talk about some of the roles in addition to the performers on stage?
SPEAKER3: Yeah, so we have a very vibrant tech club here at the high school that allows students to take on roles that may be performed by adults (02:36):
undefined
in other school districts.
So we have a lighting designer and our assistant technical director named GageKlerich.
And Gage is kind of a veteran of the program, and he's designing the light andhelping kind of coordinate all of the production aspects in terms of tech.
(03:02):
We have students running the sound boards.
We have students putting microphones on students.
We have students backstage playing stage manager roles in which they'recoordinating all the set changes.
We have students that are working behind the scenes with hair and makeup,helping other students understand what styles they should be using in their hair
and how they should look as they come onto stage.
(03:22):
So it's a--it's a way for kids to really get involved in all aspects of theaterin a way that may eventually lead to some kind of career work in the arts as
well.
SPEAKER1: And it certainly could. And if it doesn't, it leads to a really rich experience here at school, right? (03:31):
undefined
They can transfer to a lot of things.
So that's kind of exciting.
SPEAKER3: A very collaborative work environment. (03:39):
undefined
It's a--it's a good training ground for whatever career they may focus on inlife.
SPEAKER1: So let's talk logistics. (03:45):
undefined
When are the performances and how can families and community members gettickets?
SPEAKER3: Yeah. So we are performing this play this weekend. (03:51):
undefined
So we'll be opening on Friday night at 7:30.
Uh, we have shows at 2:00 and on Saturday and Sunday, and another performanceon Saturday evening at 7:30 as well.
Uh, tickets are available if you visit WWW.OregonPerformingArtsCenter.com.
(04:11):
Or you can come to the door and buy them there as well.
Uh, we do prefer, um, cards over cash, but we can take cash at the door aswell.
SPEAKER1: Well, thanks for saying that because that's something important for people to know before they get here that night. (04:19):
undefined
Right? So appreciate that.
And now we're going to turn to some of our, um, some of our students who are apart of this.
Um, we have Gage, who is the student lighting designer, Syd is Lady Macbeth andWillem as Macbeth.
So thanks for taking a few minutes out of rehearsal to talk with us today.
(04:43):
Um, can you please start by introducing yourself, the character you play or therole you play and your history with theater performance?
SPEAKER4: Uh, I am Gage Klerich, and I am the assistant technical director and lighting designer. (04:50):
undefined
Uh, I've been involved with the high school theater program for four years.
I kind of started off working on, like operating the board during a show andhave worked my way into designing and then eventually
(05:12):
kind of assisting and guiding others in how to design and prepare for runningtech for a show.
SPEAKER1: That's quite an evolution over four years to have learned all of that. (05:20):
undefined
That's great.
Willem?
SPEAKER5: Hello, I'm Willem Dutcher and I am the role of Macbeth in this performance. (05:26):
undefined
I have basically done theater for all four years of my college--or my highschool experience, and have
basically been acting since I can remember.
So like probably, like more realistically, probably around 10 to 11 years I'vebeen acting in just community and outside theaters.
(05:53):
And then so this was just a no brainer to join in this production.
Wow.
SPEAKER1: All right. Thank you. (05:58):
undefined
Syd, how about you?
SPEAKER6: Hi, I'm Syd Shaw. (06:00):
undefined
I am Lady Macbeth.
Um, I've done basically every single show we've had here at OHS in my fouryears being here.
Um, it was really excited to do Macbeth because we read it in my sophomoreEnglish class.
Right. Um, honestly, probably my favorite unit the whole year.
Um, it was a really, really interesting story.
(06:22):
And there's just so much about, like, all of Shakespeare's work and so manydifferent things you can interpret and analyze in it.
And it's really fascinating to me.
SPEAKER1: That it's wonderful to hear you talk about it that way. (06:31):
undefined
Right. Um, the first performance is right around the corner.
So how are rehearsals going and how were you feeling about the show at thispoint?
SPEAKER4: Um, I think they're going quite well. (06:43):
undefined
Uh, as part of tech, we don't really get involved until about 2 to 3 weeksbefore.
Oh, okay. Opening night.
And so to see, just in this very short time how they've progressed from justkind of running through parts of acts to being able to go through a full show.
Um, is quite, quite impressive to watch.
(07:05):
Uh, I feel that towards this, this last week as we come towards opening night,they, they've really brought the show together and start to
make the vision of what this show should be happen.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. How about you two? (07:19):
undefined
What do you have to say?
SPEAKER5: Uh, yeah. So obviously every, um, every production has its bumps and mistakes in the road, I think. (07:22):
undefined
Of course, I speak for everyone when I say that.
That's a little bit of an understatement.
Uh, but, uh, I, I can also say that when it comes to tech week, a lot of peoplestart coming into their characters and coming
(07:44):
into their, like, feel for the performance.
Once they add the lights, the sound, the costumes, it
SPEAKER1: Makes a difference for the actors. (07:49):
undefined
SPEAKER5: It makes such a big difference. (07:50):
undefined
It's it's basically the difference between like having an item in your hand andinteracting with it, or walking around with levels on the stage versus
miming an object that is not there, or walking around on a stage that is notthere.
So having all those elements together really helps you get into character.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I mean, I think considering like where we were like a week ago, I mean, we haven't had our set up consistently because there's just been so many different (08:11):
undefined
events in the PAC and like actually just getting to have it there consistentlyhas been like just like tremendous for how the show has progressed.
And honestly, considering that it's tech week, I feel like we're doing prettygood so far.
(08:34):
Things are things are like growing exponentially.
SPEAKER1: That's exciting. (08:39):
undefined
All right.
SPEAKER3: So I think both of them would also probably they're underplaying how much work they've had to put in with the lines and the text itself as they have the lion's (08:41):
undefined
SPEAKER1: share (08:49):
undefined
SPEAKER3: of the text. And while it's not, um, the every word that's in the original Shakespeare play, it's a cutting that encompasses many of the major scenes (08:50):
undefined
with the soliloquies intact.
And so they've had a lot of memorization to do.
And it's been working since day one on really understanding the text and beingable to emote through the text and further to remember the text.
(09:13):
It's just it's a challenging, challenging aspect of the show.
SPEAKER1: Well, how have you two approached that? (09:17):
undefined
SPEAKER6: I mean, I have a gap in between dance like an hour long gap between two dance classes on Tuesday nights. (09:20):
undefined
So I've been rehearsing in an empty studio, just like at my dance studio, andI'm practicing my lines and my blocking, and I've gone over it with my grandpa,
who used to be an English teacher.
So that's been really useful.
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I have. (09:41):
undefined
I downloaded an app right before the, um, well, I guess just at the beginningof the experience and just sort of recorded all the scenes so that like, I had
all the lines and everything, so and then I close a lot at my job at Culvershere in Oregon.
So while closing, I just had my headphones on and I was listening basically tothe whole show on repeat while I was doing that.
(10:06):
So I got a idea not only of my own lines, but of the entire text as well.
So that was a major help.
SPEAKER1: Wow. And you two are illustrating the fact that you are involved in many other things in addition to this, and trying to layer all that on one thing (10:15):
undefined
on another. It's impressive.
SPEAKER3: Gage, too, has a lot of challenges this last week, so he'll plan cues. (10:26):
undefined
Do you want to speak to how you finesse and refine as you go along this week aswell?
SPEAKER4: Um, so I'll kind of start with just a basic outline of just a general kind of color wash on the stage. (10:34):
undefined
And then as we move through Pre-tech and then tech Week, um, it's a lot ofchanging and adding in effects or spotlights on certain people.
Um, just really changing it so that the people stand out from the scene whilestill incorporating everybody and everything in that scene that still needs to
(10:59):
be incorporated.
SPEAKER1: That sounds very complex also. (11:02):
undefined
So but you have this is one production after another where you continue tolearn and grow how to do that.
Okay. That's--that's awesome.
So, Syd, you mentioned earlier about why you got involved in Macbeth or yourthe way that the story appealed to you previously, right.
Is there anything else about this particular production that just really pulledyou in and made you want to be a part of it?
SPEAKER6: I mean, I love the community we have here. (11:27):
undefined
Um, we've got a lot of really great people who all work really hard on, I mean,everything involved.
Um, it's--it's just like a fun thing to do.
It's not just like, "oh, this is a really neat show." It's like, "I love beinghere.
This is this is my favorite thing."
SPEAKER1: Which is sort of evident in the fact that you have all been doing this from the very beginning of freshman year, right? (11:48):
undefined
It's really cool. Anything else to add to that?
SPEAKER5: Um, yeah, sort of I, I would agree with Syd a lot. (11:57):
undefined
Um, I have been fascinated by a lot of Shakespeare texts for a long time.
There's--I have wanted to do a Shakespeare show for a while, and Macbeth waskind of the main one up there.
And Macbeth, the character was sort of a dream role for me, just sort of as awhole in my, like, like at some point in my life, I would like to play Macbeth
(12:24):
in Macbeth, because that would be such an interesting experience.
And I was so excited when it when it was announced last year because I was justlike, yes, finally I got a
SPEAKER1: dream role and you get it senior year. (12:32):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah, it was very meaningful. (12:34):
undefined
I was very excited for this whole show, so I've just sort of had this giddyexcitement throughout the whole process of just everything tumbling together and
looking so awesome.
SPEAKER1: Oh, I love hearing that. (12:43):
undefined
So, um, what would you say to other students who see this show and are reallykind of interested in getting involved, but aren't sure where to start?
I'm going to start with you, Gage.
SPEAKER4: Um, certainly asking people who are currently involved or even just if it's too late to join whatever current production, um, going to see the (12:54):
undefined
show and then afterwards talking to cast and crew members and finding out howthey got involved.
A lot of times it's not by accident, but just complete circumstance of, uh,somebody knowing somebody else who's in the production and being like,
(13:20):
"oh, I'll, I'll join that.
It sounds fun." It's a, it's a community.
And bringing others in that people know is really how a lot of students willjoin into a production.
SPEAKER1: Either of you? (13:34):
undefined
SPEAKER5: I would also like to mention that, um, it's never too late to join. (13:35):
undefined
We have, uh, two upperclassmen, two new upperclassmen this year.
Uh, Gus, who plays Macduff, is a junior and has never done a production likethis before and jumped in.
And he's doing a phenomenal job.
And, uh, the Ben Josh who plays Banquo is also he's a senior and has expressedalways wanting to do it but never
(14:04):
having the chance to. So he decided to jump in and is also doing a musicallater this year.
Um, and both of them are doing a great job.
So if you're a senior or a junior or even a like, like, like any anyone canjoin no matter what grade you're in and can find a great success.
SPEAKER1: I appreciate you saying that. (14:21):
undefined
Thank you. Anybody else?
SPEAKER6: Um, I mean, even if, like, you're not sure if you want to, like, jump into, like, a big production right away, you can always come to drama club or tech (14:24):
undefined
club. I'm an officer of drama club.
We meet every Wednesday, 4:00 to 4:30 in the choir room.
Tech club is on Tuesdays.
Till what? 5:00? Till
SPEAKER4: 5:00, yes. (14:39):
undefined
SPEAKER6: Yeah. Like, just. (14:40):
undefined
Just like, dip your toe in the water.
Come try stuff out.
We do a lot of really fun things.
Highly recommend.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. Now, you're all seniors this year, right? (14:49):
undefined
Everybody's a senior.
So what does it mean to you to be a part of this show senior year?
And you started with that already.
It was your dream role.
So here you are.
SPEAKER5: Uh, yeah. I mean, it's it's definitely something that I'm very excited about. (15:02):
undefined
It's it means a lot to have this, like, this be the final play of my highschool years
is a dream role that I've wanted to do for years.
And, um, just like, uh, a lot of I feel like it's a--it was a similar feelingto a lot of kids who are in, uh,
(15:32):
seniors last year during Big Fish or just having this super meaningful, superpowerful, like, exciting and like deep show their senior
year. And it's a lot of the same feelings with me.
It's like this--It's not just like a little play that you're having fun withand it's like the last one.
It's like Shakespeare.
It's this Shakespeare play that has the ability to move a lot of people andhave a message that is very impactful for a lot of people even now, like
(16:00):
hundreds and hundreds of years afterwards, like it still has a lot of meaning.
So being a senior and being able to like, have this message is very is verypowerful.
SPEAKER6: I could not ask for a better show for my senior year. (16:10):
undefined
This thing is it's incredible.
When the cast list came out, I had to like screenshot it and then just like,narrow it down on my name to make sure I was reading the right line because I
genuinely could not believe that I was going to be Lady Macbeth for my senioryear.
And oh my God, it's I love her so much and
SPEAKER1: That's so joyful to (16:33):
undefined
SPEAKER6: hear. (16:34):
undefined
SPEAKER1: Yeah, I love it. (16:35):
undefined
And Gage, I'm sure for you, this sounds like it's going to be kind of a darkand moody show.
A lot of fun for somebody who's in charge of all of the lighting for it.
SPEAKER4: Yes, definitely. It's--it--it's challenging in a creative way. (16:46):
undefined
Um, because while still being able to design something that catches somebody'seye without being distracting from the main storyline, and
being able to provide that in a way that I can have somebody else run andinterpret, uh, my show, my show file, um, is certainly a
(17:10):
challenge and one that I'm certainly up to programing for.
SPEAKER1: So finally, why should our listeners and community members get tickets for Macbeth? (17:15):
undefined
SPEAKER6: If you put a lot of work into it, please. (17:21):
undefined
Please come.
SPEAKER1: That's great. That's a very good reason, I think. (17:25):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Um, another another thing I spoke to a little bit before, but a lot of people would like when they, uh, think of Shakespeare, they think of just like (17:28):
undefined
it's super old and it's not something that's super exciting.
But when, like, truly like, it's such a timeless, it's such a timeless play.
And like, the whether or not Shakespeare intended it to be to take place inScotland and England and like
(17:58):
having kings fight against kings and murder of all sorts of royal ways.
But there have -- this is not the first time Macbeth has been, uh, reset in adifferent time period.
And it's definitely something that's worth seeing.
If you have seen Macbeth or haven't seen Macbeth to just, like, come and seefor yourself, because it's really a lot deeper than some people would think.
(18:26):
Face value.
SPEAKER1: So what period has it been reset into? (18:27):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Uh, 1930s in the Great Depression era. (18:30):
undefined
So a lot of, uh, like dust balls.
Dust? Yeah, a lot of. I was honestly
SPEAKER1: guessing that by your costumes and your hair, to be honest, I (18:40):
undefined
SPEAKER6: Yeah, me, Aniyah and Leah, we did the hair and makeup and all of that stuff, and we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, trying to get (18:43):
undefined
everybody in that.
And it's it's actually been really fun just to like, I don't know a lot aboutthe 30s.
I prefer the Victorian era personally.
Um, just like from an aesthetic standpoint.
But the 30s have been really, really interesting just to like research, likewhat was going on economically and socially.
(19:08):
And I mean, even like the clothes and the fashion and the hair is reallyinteresting.
And I could talk about that for like two hours if you let me.
SPEAKER1: Maybe that's another podcast. (19:17):
undefined
That sounds pretty interesting.
And I think
SPEAKER3: these kids are doing a good job of breaking down the barriers and making Shakespeare accessible to everybody, and that should be a goal. (19:21):
undefined
And I think sometimes there's that fear that an audience member is not going tocome in and understand what's happening.
But I think if you come and you experience it, while you may not understandevery word, uh, on stage, that's okay.
You understand themes, you understand ideas.
And that's really what Shakespeare is about.
(19:42):
It's about emotions. It's about feelings, and it's about taking away a biggermeaning from what you've just seen.
SPEAKER1: That's amazing. (19:48):
undefined
So we're so proud of all of your work and dedication and we're really lookingforward to this.
Thanks to our listeners for tuning in this week.
Performances of Macbeth are this weekend, November 8th, 9th, and 10th at theOregon High School Performing Arts Center.
You can get your tickets online at OregonPerformingArtsCenter.com.
(20:14):
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at Oregon
sd.org/podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
(20:35):
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
undefined
We're talking with the director, Mike Ducett, along with a few cast members.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:15):
undefined
Here is your host, lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Doctor LeslieBergstrom.
SPEAKER1: Thanks for having us today. (00:28):
undefined
I know that rehearsals are in full swing, and we're excited to hear how it'sbeen going.
Could you start by introducing yourself and refreshing the audience a littlebit about your role at OHS and this production?
Yeah.
SPEAKER3: Hi, I'm Mike Ducett. (00:43):
undefined
I am an English teacher here at OHS.
Been here for about 20 years, and I have been directing plays and musicalssince, I think the 2010 school year here at Oregon High School.
So been around the block, so to say, quite a few times here in the theater, atthe high school.
And I'm really excited to be directing Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth, andit's the first time I have brought a Shakespeare play to the stage that I've
(01:09):
directed. And so this has been a tremendous challenge in working with thisclassic material and finding meaning in it for our students.
And I think it's been a pretty fruitful, um, experience so far.
SPEAKER1: Well, thank you. So without giving anything away, could you give our listeners a little preview of the storyline and what they can expect? (01:22):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Sure. It's a tale that dabbles a little bit with the supernatural, as Macbeth encounters a couple of witches who give him some predictions that he will (01:29):
undefined
someday become the king of Scotland, and it kind of gets his wheels turning inhis brain, along with the help of his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is also
kind of equally manipulative.
(01:49):
And they begin to scheme together ways to become king and queen.
One would be to get rid of the current king, who is King Duncan, and from thatpoint on, their lives never really returned to normal, as they deal with the
consequences of their unchecked ambition and power, and eventually the guilt oftheir own actions undermines them both, in a--in a sense.
SPEAKER1: I think that sounds like a timeless storyline. (02:11):
undefined
SPEAKER3: It is a very much timeless, timeless tale and a warning about kind of that sense of unchecked ambition and power and the drive and how that can be sometimes (02:14):
undefined
deadly and dangerous.
SPEAKER1: So one thing I've always admired about our productions is the involvement of students in every aspect of it. (02:25):
undefined
So can you talk about some of the roles in addition to the performers on stage?
SPEAKER3: Yeah, so we have a very vibrant tech club here at the high school that allows students to take on roles that may be performed by adults (02:36):
undefined
in other school districts.
So we have a lighting designer and our assistant technical director named GageKlerich.
And Gage is kind of a veteran of the program, and he's designing the light andhelping kind of coordinate all of the production aspects in terms of tech.
(03:02):
We have students running the sound boards.
We have students putting microphones on students.
We have students backstage playing stage manager roles in which they'recoordinating all the set changes.
We have students that are working behind the scenes with hair and makeup,helping other students understand what styles they should be using in their hair
and how they should look as they come onto stage.
(03:22):
So it's a--it's a way for kids to really get involved in all aspects of theaterin a way that may eventually lead to some kind of career work in the arts as
well.
SPEAKER1: And it certainly could. And if it doesn't, it leads to a really rich experience here at school, right? (03:31):
undefined
They can transfer to a lot of things.
So that's kind of exciting.
SPEAKER3: A very collaborative work environment. (03:39):
undefined
It's a--it's a good training ground for whatever career they may focus on inlife.
SPEAKER1: So let's talk logistics. (03:45):
undefined
When are the performances and how can families and community members gettickets?
SPEAKER3: Yeah. So we are performing this play this weekend. (03:51):
undefined
So we'll be opening on Friday night at 7:30.
Uh, we have shows at 2:00 and on Saturday and Sunday, and another performanceon Saturday evening at 7:30 as well.
Uh, tickets are available if you visit WWW.OregonPerformingArtsCenter.com.
(04:11):
Or you can come to the door and buy them there as well.
Uh, we do prefer, um, cards over cash, but we can take cash at the door aswell.
SPEAKER1: Well, thanks for saying that because that's something important for people to know before they get here that night. (04:19):
undefined
Right? So appreciate that.
And now we're going to turn to some of our, um, some of our students who are apart of this.
Um, we have Gage, who is the student lighting designer, Syd is Lady Macbeth andWillem as Macbeth.
So thanks for taking a few minutes out of rehearsal to talk with us today.
(04:43):
Um, can you please start by introducing yourself, the character you play or therole you play and your history with theater performance?
SPEAKER4: Uh, I am Gage Klerich, and I am the assistant technical director and lighting designer. (04:50):
undefined
Uh, I've been involved with the high school theater program for four years.
I kind of started off working on, like operating the board during a show andhave worked my way into designing and then eventually
(05:12):
kind of assisting and guiding others in how to design and prepare for runningtech for a show.
SPEAKER1: That's quite an evolution over four years to have learned all of that. (05:20):
undefined
That's great.
Willem?
SPEAKER5: Hello, I'm Willem Dutcher and I am the role of Macbeth in this performance. (05:26):
undefined
I have basically done theater for all four years of my college--or my highschool experience, and have
basically been acting since I can remember.
So like probably, like more realistically, probably around 10 to 11 years I'vebeen acting in just community and outside theaters.
(05:53):
And then so this was just a no brainer to join in this production.
Wow.
SPEAKER1: All right. Thank you. (05:58):
undefined
Syd, how about you?
SPEAKER6: Hi, I'm Syd Shaw. (06:00):
undefined
I am Lady Macbeth.
Um, I've done basically every single show we've had here at OHS in my fouryears being here.
Um, it was really excited to do Macbeth because we read it in my sophomoreEnglish class.
Right. Um, honestly, probably my favorite unit the whole year.
Um, it was a really, really interesting story.
(06:22):
And there's just so much about, like, all of Shakespeare's work and so manydifferent things you can interpret and analyze in it.
And it's really fascinating to me.
SPEAKER1: That it's wonderful to hear you talk about it that way. (06:31):
undefined
Right. Um, the first performance is right around the corner.
So how are rehearsals going and how were you feeling about the show at thispoint?
SPEAKER4: Um, I think they're going quite well. (06:43):
undefined
Uh, as part of tech, we don't really get involved until about 2 to 3 weeksbefore.
Oh, okay. Opening night.
And so to see, just in this very short time how they've progressed from justkind of running through parts of acts to being able to go through a full show.
Um, is quite, quite impressive to watch.
(07:05):
Uh, I feel that towards this, this last week as we come towards opening night,they, they've really brought the show together and start to
make the vision of what this show should be happen.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. How about you two? (07:19):
undefined
What do you have to say?
SPEAKER5: Uh, yeah. So obviously every, um, every production has its bumps and mistakes in the road, I think. (07:22):
undefined
Of course, I speak for everyone when I say that.
That's a little bit of an understatement.
Uh, but, uh, I, I can also say that when it comes to tech week, a lot of peoplestart coming into their characters and coming
(07:44):
into their, like, feel for the performance.
Once they add the lights, the sound, the costumes, it
SPEAKER1: Makes a difference for the actors. (07:49):
undefined
SPEAKER5: It makes such a big difference. (07:50):
undefined
It's it's basically the difference between like having an item in your hand andinteracting with it, or walking around with levels on the stage versus
miming an object that is not there, or walking around on a stage that is notthere.
So having all those elements together really helps you get into character.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I mean, I think considering like where we were like a week ago, I mean, we haven't had our set up consistently because there's just been so many different (08:11):
undefined
events in the PAC and like actually just getting to have it there consistentlyhas been like just like tremendous for how the show has progressed.
And honestly, considering that it's tech week, I feel like we're doing prettygood so far.
(08:34):
Things are things are like growing exponentially.
SPEAKER1: That's exciting. (08:39):
undefined
All right.
SPEAKER3: So I think both of them would also probably they're underplaying how much work they've had to put in with the lines and the text itself as they have the lion's (08:41):
undefined
SPEAKER1: share (08:49):
undefined
SPEAKER3: of the text. And while it's not, um, the every word that's in the original Shakespeare play, it's a cutting that encompasses many of the major scenes (08:50):
undefined
with the soliloquies intact.
And so they've had a lot of memorization to do.
And it's been working since day one on really understanding the text and beingable to emote through the text and further to remember the text.
(09:13):
It's just it's a challenging, challenging aspect of the show.
SPEAKER1: Well, how have you two approached that? (09:17):
undefined
SPEAKER6: I mean, I have a gap in between dance like an hour long gap between two dance classes on Tuesday nights. (09:20):
undefined
So I've been rehearsing in an empty studio, just like at my dance studio, andI'm practicing my lines and my blocking, and I've gone over it with my grandpa,
who used to be an English teacher.
So that's been really useful.
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I have. (09:41):
undefined
I downloaded an app right before the, um, well, I guess just at the beginningof the experience and just sort of recorded all the scenes so that like, I had
all the lines and everything, so and then I close a lot at my job at Culvershere in Oregon.
So while closing, I just had my headphones on and I was listening basically tothe whole show on repeat while I was doing that.
(10:06):
So I got a idea not only of my own lines, but of the entire text as well.
So that was a major help.
SPEAKER1: Wow. And you two are illustrating the fact that you are involved in many other things in addition to this, and trying to layer all that on one thing (10:15):
undefined
on another. It's impressive.
SPEAKER3: Gage, too, has a lot of challenges this last week, so he'll plan cues. (10:26):
undefined
Do you want to speak to how you finesse and refine as you go along this week aswell?
SPEAKER4: Um, so I'll kind of start with just a basic outline of just a general kind of color wash on the stage. (10:34):
undefined
And then as we move through Pre-tech and then tech Week, um, it's a lot ofchanging and adding in effects or spotlights on certain people.
Um, just really changing it so that the people stand out from the scene whilestill incorporating everybody and everything in that scene that still needs to
(10:59):
be incorporated.
SPEAKER1: That sounds very complex also. (11:02):
undefined
So but you have this is one production after another where you continue tolearn and grow how to do that.
Okay. That's--that's awesome.
So, Syd, you mentioned earlier about why you got involved in Macbeth or yourthe way that the story appealed to you previously, right.
Is there anything else about this particular production that just really pulledyou in and made you want to be a part of it?
SPEAKER6: I mean, I love the community we have here. (11:27):
undefined
Um, we've got a lot of really great people who all work really hard on, I mean,everything involved.
Um, it's--it's just like a fun thing to do.
It's not just like, "oh, this is a really neat show." It's like, "I love beinghere.
This is this is my favorite thing."
SPEAKER1: Which is sort of evident in the fact that you have all been doing this from the very beginning of freshman year, right? (11:48):
undefined
It's really cool. Anything else to add to that?
SPEAKER5: Um, yeah, sort of I, I would agree with Syd a lot. (11:57):
undefined
Um, I have been fascinated by a lot of Shakespeare texts for a long time.
There's--I have wanted to do a Shakespeare show for a while, and Macbeth waskind of the main one up there.
And Macbeth, the character was sort of a dream role for me, just sort of as awhole in my, like, like at some point in my life, I would like to play Macbeth
(12:24):
in Macbeth, because that would be such an interesting experience.
And I was so excited when it when it was announced last year because I was justlike, yes, finally I got a
SPEAKER1: dream role and you get it senior year. (12:32):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah, it was very meaningful. (12:34):
undefined
I was very excited for this whole show, so I've just sort of had this giddyexcitement throughout the whole process of just everything tumbling together and
looking so awesome.
SPEAKER1: Oh, I love hearing that. (12:43):
undefined
So, um, what would you say to other students who see this show and are reallykind of interested in getting involved, but aren't sure where to start?
I'm going to start with you, Gage.
SPEAKER4: Um, certainly asking people who are currently involved or even just if it's too late to join whatever current production, um, going to see the (12:54):
undefined
show and then afterwards talking to cast and crew members and finding out howthey got involved.
A lot of times it's not by accident, but just complete circumstance of, uh,somebody knowing somebody else who's in the production and being like,
(13:20):
"oh, I'll, I'll join that.
It sounds fun." It's a, it's a community.
And bringing others in that people know is really how a lot of students willjoin into a production.
SPEAKER1: Either of you? (13:34):
undefined
SPEAKER5: I would also like to mention that, um, it's never too late to join. (13:35):
undefined
We have, uh, two upperclassmen, two new upperclassmen this year.
Uh, Gus, who plays Macduff, is a junior and has never done a production likethis before and jumped in.
And he's doing a phenomenal job.
And, uh, the Ben Josh who plays Banquo is also he's a senior and has expressedalways wanting to do it but never
(14:04):
having the chance to. So he decided to jump in and is also doing a musicallater this year.
Um, and both of them are doing a great job.
So if you're a senior or a junior or even a like, like, like any anyone canjoin no matter what grade you're in and can find a great success.
SPEAKER1: I appreciate you saying that. (14:21):
undefined
Thank you. Anybody else?
SPEAKER6: Um, I mean, even if, like, you're not sure if you want to, like, jump into, like, a big production right away, you can always come to drama club or tech (14:24):
undefined
club. I'm an officer of drama club.
We meet every Wednesday, 4:00 to 4:30 in the choir room.
Tech club is on Tuesdays.
Till what? 5:00? Till
SPEAKER4: 5:00, yes. (14:39):
undefined
SPEAKER6: Yeah. Like, just. (14:40):
undefined
Just like, dip your toe in the water.
Come try stuff out.
We do a lot of really fun things.
Highly recommend.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. Now, you're all seniors this year, right? (14:49):
undefined
Everybody's a senior.
So what does it mean to you to be a part of this show senior year?
And you started with that already.
It was your dream role.
So here you are.
SPEAKER5: Uh, yeah. I mean, it's it's definitely something that I'm very excited about. (15:02):
undefined
It's it means a lot to have this, like, this be the final play of my highschool years
is a dream role that I've wanted to do for years.
And, um, just like, uh, a lot of I feel like it's a--it was a similar feelingto a lot of kids who are in, uh,
(15:32):
seniors last year during Big Fish or just having this super meaningful, superpowerful, like, exciting and like deep show their senior
year. And it's a lot of the same feelings with me.
It's like this--It's not just like a little play that you're having fun withand it's like the last one.
It's like Shakespeare.
It's this Shakespeare play that has the ability to move a lot of people andhave a message that is very impactful for a lot of people even now, like
(16:00):
hundreds and hundreds of years afterwards, like it still has a lot of meaning.
So being a senior and being able to like, have this message is very is verypowerful.
SPEAKER6: I could not ask for a better show for my senior year. (16:10):
undefined
This thing is it's incredible.
When the cast list came out, I had to like screenshot it and then just like,narrow it down on my name to make sure I was reading the right line because I
genuinely could not believe that I was going to be Lady Macbeth for my senioryear.
And oh my God, it's I love her so much and
SPEAKER1: That's so joyful to (16:33):
undefined
SPEAKER6: hear. (16:34):
undefined
SPEAKER1: Yeah, I love it. (16:35):
undefined
And Gage, I'm sure for you, this sounds like it's going to be kind of a darkand moody show.
A lot of fun for somebody who's in charge of all of the lighting for it.
SPEAKER4: Yes, definitely. It's--it--it's challenging in a creative way. (16:46):
undefined
Um, because while still being able to design something that catches somebody'seye without being distracting from the main storyline, and
being able to provide that in a way that I can have somebody else run andinterpret, uh, my show, my show file, um, is certainly a
(17:10):
challenge and one that I'm certainly up to programing for.
SPEAKER1: So finally, why should our listeners and community members get tickets for Macbeth? (17:15):
undefined
SPEAKER6: If you put a lot of work into it, please. (17:21):
undefined
Please come.
SPEAKER1: That's great. That's a very good reason, I think. (17:25):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Um, another another thing I spoke to a little bit before, but a lot of people would like when they, uh, think of Shakespeare, they think of just like (17:28):
undefined
it's super old and it's not something that's super exciting.
But when, like, truly like, it's such a timeless, it's such a timeless play.
And like, the whether or not Shakespeare intended it to be to take place inScotland and England and like
(17:58):
having kings fight against kings and murder of all sorts of royal ways.
But there have -- this is not the first time Macbeth has been, uh, reset in adifferent time period.
And it's definitely something that's worth seeing.
If you have seen Macbeth or haven't seen Macbeth to just, like, come and seefor yourself, because it's really a lot deeper than some people would think.
(18:26):
Face value.
SPEAKER1: So what period has it been reset into? (18:27):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Uh, 1930s in the Great Depression era. (18:30):
undefined
So a lot of, uh, like dust balls.
Dust? Yeah, a lot of. I was honestly
SPEAKER1: guessing that by your costumes and your hair, to be honest, I (18:40):
undefined
SPEAKER6: Yeah, me, Aniyah and Leah, we did the hair and makeup and all of that stuff, and we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, trying to get (18:43):
undefined
everybody in that.
And it's it's actually been really fun just to like, I don't know a lot aboutthe 30s.
I prefer the Victorian era personally.
Um, just like from an aesthetic standpoint.
But the 30s have been really, really interesting just to like research, likewhat was going on economically and socially.
(19:08):
And I mean, even like the clothes and the fashion and the hair is reallyinteresting.
And I could talk about that for like two hours if you let me.
SPEAKER1: Maybe that's another podcast. (19:17):
undefined
That sounds pretty interesting.
And I think
SPEAKER3: these kids are doing a good job of breaking down the barriers and making Shakespeare accessible to everybody, and that should be a goal. (19:21):
undefined
And I think sometimes there's that fear that an audience member is not going tocome in and understand what's happening.
But I think if you come and you experience it, while you may not understandevery word, uh, on stage, that's okay.
You understand themes, you understand ideas.
And that's really what Shakespeare is about.
(19:42):
It's about emotions. It's about feelings, and it's about taking away a biggermeaning from what you've just seen.
SPEAKER1: That's amazing. (19:48):
undefined
So we're so proud of all of your work and dedication and we're really lookingforward to this.
Thanks to our listeners for tuning in this week.
Performances of Macbeth are this weekend, November 8th, 9th, and 10th at theOregon High School Performing Arts Center.
You can get your tickets online at OregonPerformingArtsCenter.com.
(20:14):
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at Oregon
sd.org/podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
(20:35):
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.