Backstage:  The Lake State Theatre Company performed Shakespeares Macbeth March 29-April 1.  Although we only did four shows, this was not an easy production.  Casting began in December and we didnt stop working until after the final performance.  

Dr.Gary Balfantz directed the show and Steve Uger was the assistant director.  Gabby Castillo joined midway during the rehearsals as a second assistant director, which shows how intensive the show was.  Rehearsals ran Sunday through Thursday, with a complete run-through at least one day a week.  We worked on different scenes the rest of the week, running through them over and over until Gary was satisfied with our progress (for that night).  To help with our understanding of how to perform Shakespeare, Gary brought in Mr. Jack Wetherall, an actor who has appeared on Broadway and who spent several years in Stratford, as a Shakespearian actor.  Jack worked with Justin Wright (Macbeth) and E.C. Solomon (Lady Macbeth) over Christmas break and came back to lead a weeklong workshop with the rest of the cast two months later.  Mr. Wetherall coached us in our roles and taught us methods of preparing for a performance, including thorough voice and body warm-ups.  

While the cast was working on lines and blocking, Dave Edmondson was busy working on the elaborate set, putting in 12+ hour days as it got closer to opening night.  Mr. Edmondson had help from several volunteers, including Michelle Ranta, who also played Hecate.  During the final week of Macbeth, Ranta would show up after teaching, get her makeup done or her costume fitted and then disappear onto the stage to help put the finishing touches on the cave.  The show wouldnt have been such a success without the amazing costumes.  Cynthia Smith and Jennifer Taylor-Smith made all the costumes, while Lisa Sims made the hats.  David Dutcher and Diane Solomon were the primary hairdressers and makeup artists, with Liz Kuykendall, Jessey Sims and others helping as needed.  

With over thirty people working on the show, there were times when it was very loud and stressful, but it was incredible to see how everyone finally came together as a group and supported each other in their efforts to make Macbeth the success it was.

From the audience:  
Shakespeares Macbeth was the chosen performance for Drama Club director Gary L. Balfantz.  The play had been advertised for so long that it seemed inadvisable not to go and see what all the fuss was about.  Opening night on Thursday, March 29, brought a wonderful crowd of students and locals to the Fine Arts Center at 7:00 PM to catch the actors in all their glory.  The show started shortly after 7:00 PM, and was a wonder to behold.  Although there were a couple of minor set malfunctions, and a wayward mouse on stage, the play was performed brilliantly, thanks to the likes of Michael Donovan (Duncan, King of Scotland), Justin Wright (Macbeth), E.C. Solomon (Lady Macbeth), Jared Little (Macduff) and many other extremely talented thespians.  The play included everything from witches (Michelle Ranta, Colleen Havey, Stacy Charbonneau and Heather Mydosh) to Apparitions (Elizabeth Sippl, Gabrielle Castillo and Chelsea Horvath).  The sensational performance, put on by Lake Superior State Universitys Drama Club makes one want to go to see every future performance put on by these talented actors, and director Gary Balfantz.
By. Stephanie Rice

