macbeth | Halloween 2023
Grassroots Shakespeare's Macbeth ran from October 16th thru the 28th. Six shows in total, the show sold out the final two nights. The show ran in "The Box," a co-op theater at The Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City. In traditional Grassroots Halloween fashion, the show featured gore galore using fake blood to splatter the audience during fight scenes. Artistic Director Steven Pond outfitted the venue with plastic sheeting to prevent the venue from getting sticky blood all over the place. It certainly added to the spooky vibe.
The show certainly came with it's challenges. The space at the time was still fairly new to us-- We had done Taming of the Shrew there a few months prior. Formerly a nail salon, it has an upstairs balcony. Due to the venue not being large enough to contain the throes of thirsty Grassroots fans, the musicians had to play from the upstairs balcony, which was perched from behind the stage. This created a unique challenge to the musicians, who were accustomed to seeing the show... Much like groundlings back in Shakespeare's day, we were more or less "hearing" the play. Although at a disadvantage in this aspect, one advantage to being up in the balcony was that it was fairly difficult for actors to get blood on the musicians and their expensive gear. Upon realizing this, I (Gary Argyle) made the wise decision to taunt the cast. There would be repercussions to this hubris, as a plot was hatched to exact cherry-flavored revenge on this otherwise flawless human being. It was truly a monstrous conspiracy. On closing night the conspiracy reached it's climax and with the aide of a Grassroots fan the foul plot was put into action-- feigning interest in my musical exploits, Alyssa dumped "blood" all over me. I choose to think of it the same way as when a coach gets Gatorade dumped on them-- a ritual to show gratitude for an amazing feat. Other challenges were fun smells for which there was no earthly explanation and the challenge of getting fake blood out of every nook and cranny it managed to get into for six nights as to avoid getting the police called on us.
This was one of the first Grassroots shows to truly showcase our fight choreographers talents in a significant way since joining the company. With more opportunity for fight scenes than previous shows, Alexandra "Alyx" Vaughn came up with longer and more intricate fight scenes than Grassroots has arguably ever had. This would get mentioned in reviews as a highlight in the subsequent show "Romeo and Juliet."
Some highlights (to the best of this historians recollection) were a scene where Macbeth (played by Ben Isaacs) comes to greet the messengers of a foul murder in a one-piece pajama outfit. Laughs every night from that. In the final fight scene between Macbeth and Macduff (Alyssa Vaughn), a squib of blood was used to create the illusion of blade cutting the palms of Macbeth's hands as he gripped Macduffs sword. Pretty cool effect for a small-budget theater company if you ask me!
During the run of the show, at some point a mirror was broken backstage. No bad luck surfaced from it, but we suspect it's coming any day now.
This show also featured some ASL (American Sign Language) showings, courtesy of Steven Pond.
~Gary
cast of macbeth
Ben Isaacs
Katherine Moulton
Katherine Moulton
This is Ben's first show with Grassroots. They have spent the last decade spinning wheels and gathering mana. They enjoy DIY art and house music. They make music as beast/god
Katherine Moulton
Katherine Moulton
Katherine Moulton
Getting drenched with blood at Grassroots Halloween shows is a time-honored and much-beloved tradition for Katherine. She is delighted to have been handed an official villain era in her favorite of Shakespeare's tragedies, and to get a chance to be the one causing all the blood for once. Her first time on the GSC stage was playing Prospero in this summer's touring production of The Tempest.
Brynne Lamb
Alexandra Vaughn
Alexandra Vaughn
Brynne is stoked to be making her Grassroots debut in one of her favorite plays! Previous acting credits include #46 in "The Wolves" (UVU), Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Snow College), and Siobhan in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" (Snow College). When she's not performing, Brynne can frequently be found mindlessly pouring over homework for her education degree and crocheting.
Alexandra Vaughn
Alexandra Vaughn
Alexandra Vaughn
Alexandra Vaughn is here, again. Run.
(Editors note: This was meant as a joke and not their real bio. As far as I can tell, they never did submit a real one.)
Claire Stucki
Claire Stucki
Claire Stucki
Claire Stucki is terrified to be in another Grassroots Halloween show. The last time she did one was almost ten years ago when she played Lavinia and her character was horribly tormented and killed. She does not want to be killed again. She is just going to sit and keep an eye on the gates of Castle Macbeth, in case someone knocks on the door to come inside. Maybe she’ll have a little whisky to calm her nerves. Just a little one.
Joseph Wilson
Claire Stucki
Claire Stucki
This is Joseph’s first show with grassroots! He was “too cool” to do theater growing up, but is very happy to have started acting two years ago. He is beyond excited to take on the roles of King Duncan, noble Lennox, and warlike Siward. His previous roles include a couple backyard shakespeare plays and pretending to be into sports around other men
Alyssa Vaughn
Alyssa Vaughn
Alyssa Vaughn
You might have seen Alyssa perform in nine(ish) other Grassroots shows in the past, bringing you such characters as Cloten from Cymbeline, Bertram from All's Well That Ends Well, and Ariel from The Tempest. This is her first performance of Macbeth, which is another point towards her goal of performing in every single one of Shakespeare's plays at least once. Over 18 productions she has 13 down, and only 25 to go.
Jack Bell
Alyssa Vaughn
Alyssa Vaughn
Jack is very excited to be in his first grassroots show. He regrets to inform you your son is dead. Best wishes.
Courtney Christensen
Courtney Christensen
Courtney Christensen
Courtney is thrilled to be on stage for another Grassroots production. Previously seen at GSC as King Cymbeline, and the photographer for the Tempest and drag Taming of the Shrew. Courtney thinks it’s time to claim another crown and be renamed king. When not working with Grassroots they can be found working with UVU’s Hot Tea improv and Cheer Salt Lake. In their (nonexistent) free time they like to sleep and watch cartoons.
Sarah Wilkins
Courtney Christensen
Courtney Christensen
Not only is this Sarah’s first show with Grassroots, it’s also her first Shakespeare production, and she has loved the challenge! But, most of all, she loves the people. Sarah’s previous roles in A Doll’s House (Anne), The Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily), and Into the Woods (The Witch), were all excellent training for this whirlwind of Macbeth. Learning ASL has become her new favorite pastime. She hopes that you all enjoy the performance as much as she has enjoyed the process.
Anne Fife
Anne is thrilled to be a Witch, Murderer & even a Gentlewoman serving the Macbeths in her first debut! She will be graduating in December with a B.A. degree in Theatre Arts with emphasis in Directing & Acting with a minor in Deaf Studies! She is a proud momma of three amazing children & a son-in-law! She is still in love with her sweetheart Michael & is very grateful for his support & love! She has numerous experiences in acting like “Nurse” in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ at Utah Valley University & many more. She just completed co-directed an amazing musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” incorporating ASL in the musical! Come be mesmerized by our charms!!
Musicians
Scott Robinson
Scott Robinson
Scott Robinson
Scott played drums for this production
Kira Halterman
Scott Robinson
Scott Robinson
Kira played sang and played bass guitar for this production
Chase Schetselaar
Chase Schetselaar
Chase Schetselaar
Chase sang and played Viola for this production
Gary Argyle
Chase Schetselaar
Chase Schetselaar
Gary played guitar for this production