We asked our entire team of artists about this project. Check out what Jaine Ye (MALCOM/WITCH) has to say about it.
What was your first Shakespeare play?
The first Shakespeare play I ever read and saw was Macbeth for my 9th grade advanced lit class. We took a field trip after we had read the whole thing to see a local theater perform it. At that time I didn't know Shakespeare on stage was a thing. The first Shakespeare show I was ever in was Hamlet, my senior year of college. What drew you to this production?
Being able to explore this play and its characters--with all their strength, determination, courage, fears, weaknesses, violence, love--through the lens of an all female perspective, as females (and not females playing males).
Why are you excited about this production?
This ensemble and theater makers are such a wonderful group of diverse voices, and in the current climate of questioning what representation means to both artists and audiences, it's always exciting to see stories with women being in charge of their own actions, deliberately making things happen rather than just being used as plot point stepping stones or collateral damage. What other plays would like to do in this style?
Maybe an all-female Taming of the Shrew. It would also be interesting to gender flip Hamilton. Or the children roles in Cursed Child.
What do you think will surprise people about this production?
Not sure if this will surprise people, but I think this production shows that the personality traits we attribute to such words as "masculinity" or "kingliness" or "powerful" are not exclusive to those who identify as males. Maybe it will be surprising how unsurprising it is to see females take up the helm with characters like these.
Why wouldn't you want anyone to miss M.Beth?
It's going to be one fantastic mischief-making fast and furious ride that will engage those who have read all of Shakespeare's plays, as well as those who may be encountering Shakespeare for the very first time. Shakespeare plays are meant to be seen and brought to life on stage.
Wild Card!
My dream Shakespeare role would be Joan La Pucelle from Henry VI part 1. Warrior woman. And she gets to fight. I love some good stage combat.