Coming off an acclaimed rendition of “The Tempest” during the 2015 season, director Aaron Posner of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, in conjunction with famed silent magic-man Teller, has wowed audiences yet again — this time with the Bard’s mystic tale of power, “Macbeth.”
In a play where the titular anti-hero is plagued by his own consciousness that manifests itself in the writhing riddles of the Weird Sisters, a conjuring of stage magic and visual mystery seems like a no-brainer for CST.
Such a surreal environment was one in which three North Central theater students found themselves performing in. Through a professional relationship between theater faculty member Carin Silkaitis and the casting director at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, students Dylan Obrachta, ’21, LiSean ‘Ling Ling’ McElrath, ’21, and Alexander Poe, ’19, had the opportunity to perform as ensemble interns in the combat-heavy production.
For McElrath, such an experience was one he will not soon forget.
“Working on “Macbeth” at CST has been an all around amazing experience. This production includes so many talented individuals, but the show itself (as a) project is massive,” McElrath said.
Teller’s illusions, as featured in combat-intensive scenes and to set the stage, literally, for the brewing witches, came with an often exhaustive balance of physical memorization for the young actors, requiring them to scale shifting lighting and trap doors that all added to the mystique of the scenes.
“Some of the (rehearsals) have been long and hectic, but with so many artists around, I have never had so much fun working on a show,” McElrath said.
The conception of utilizing illusion arts to bring to the stage the classic Shakespeare story of power, ambition and greed has been years in the making, with actors acting as the final piece to integrate into the overall vision the adaptors had in store for this anticipated production. But that doesn’t mean such integration was swift or easy.
“The directors and designers have been working on this concept for three years, so of course there was (a lot) of work that needed to be done once actors were incorporated,” continued McElrath.
Nevertheless, for McElrath, an aspiring stage actor, such an experience was invaluable to his resume of work that will prepare him for continuing in professional productions.
“A lot of (my) growth has stemmed from the directors and their ideas. They tell us to articulate and emote in certain ways that make this show easy for younger audiences (to understand). Through discussion of the script and relating the material to our current political and social (climate), my cast mates (also) helped me look at analyzing characters and the world in a different light,” he said.
Known around the world as a leader in storytelling for the performing arts, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is no light addition to a young, aspiring actor’s repertoire, as McElrath is well aware of.
“Working with CST has shown me a lot of what being a professional actor entails. The long days and countless hours of thinking about this show is something that happens often when you perform for a living. I’m glad I get to bear this burden,” he said.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of “Macbeth” runs through June 24. Visit their website for ticket discount details.
