Last semester, Olympic Heights Community High School brought a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to the stage, offering our Lions a modernized musical adaptation of the classic tragedy while preserving the original language that has defined the play for centuries.

Rather than setting the story in medieval Scotland, the OH production crew reimagined Macbeth in a present-day office environment. Characters dressed  in professional attire, and the familiar corporate setting added a layer to the themes of insanity, power, and corruption. Despite the different visuals, Shakespeare’s original English was maintained throughout the performance, creating some confusion in the audience yet preserving history.

Coincidentally, the entire tenth grade read the play Macbeth in English classes this year, so the cast performed a special show just for OH students. Through a questionnaire given to students who attended the production, they provided their opinions and feedback of the tragedy. “The acting was amazing, and it truly showcased the emotions and relationships of the original cast and events,” shares Brielle Desyatnikov, a sophomore at OH, though occasionally the dialogue was “difficult to understand” due to Shakespeare’s style of English. 

Lighting and technical elements played a significant role in shaping the atmosphere of the show. The production made frequent use of fog and strobe lights, along with a blend of cool and warm tones, to heighten moments of tension and emotional intensity. These visual choices emphasized the psychological unraveling of the characters and helped guide the audience imagine the insanity. “I really liked the red lighting,” explains sophomore Lena Siwik, “especially when there was a sense of danger in the scenes.”

Music was another defining feature of the adaptation. Short musical segments were added into key scenes to establish suspense and enhance dramatic impact. The inclusion of modern songs, such as “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” added an unexpected twist for the audience.

The success of the production relied heavily on the work of the cast and crew. Not only was talent shown on the stage, but behind the scenes, the tech team worked hard to manage lighting cues, sound effects, and transitions to ensure the show ran smoothly.  Laura Kirland, AICE Lang teacher at OH, confirms the hard work of each student who played a part in the production. “I thought the students worked really hard and did an incredible job of bringing Shakespeare to life on stage, in a creative, re-imagined way,” Kirland states. “Just reading Shakespeare is hard enough – these students memorized it, understood the characters, and then delivered the lines. It was incredible!”

Students were also asked if they had ever attended a theatrical production before. Results proved a 75% majority of students had previously attended a production, whether at Olympic Heights or any other professional shows. This is significant because the majority of respondents rated the play highly, suggesting that our high school’s theatre troupe is top-notch. Director Kimberly Coyle took great pride in succeeding with the overall training, teaching, and outcome of the performance, highlighting her gratitude for a successful and tightly-knit cast who were able to make the performance come to life.

Overall, Olympic Heights’ musical rendition of Macbeth offered a creative and modern take on a literary classic. By combining Shakespeare’s original language with contemporary settings, music, and technical design, the production provided a unique theatrical experience that showcased both artistic ambition and student talent.