Lady M is a new adaptation of the classic Shakespeare play Macbeth, shifting the focus from the titular character to his doomed wife, Lady M. This production aims to explore the untold story of Lady M and examine the Macbeth’s descent into darkness from her perspective.
Content disclosure: Mature adult themes, blood and inferred abuse and mental illness, flashing lights and loud sound effects. PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned, some material may be inappropriate for children under 13."
| Lady M | ABBY HAWS |
| Macbeth | Charlie Mosher |
| Ensemble | Savannah Arnold Autumn Bickmore Mckenzie Blair Grace Bowman Delanie Foreman McKenna Stewart Isaiah Stotesbery Clara Thompson Emily Wennerholm |
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Stage Manager |
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Lighting Designers Sound Designer |
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Lightboard Operator Student Hands |
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Macbeth is the story of a noble Scottish warrior who, at the none-too-gentle urgings of his wife (known only in the text as Lady Macbeth) murders the king to ascend to the throne, only to find that ascension is the beginning of his own descent into madness as he and his wife grapple with the moral and spiritual ramifications of their bloody business.
It isn’t a terribly controversial take to assert that most productions of Macbeth tend to portray their leading man's leading lady in predictable and consistent fashion: a brutally cold, calculating partner in crime. Audiences are often presented a heartless, cunning and ambitious spouse, who leverages her womanhood and sexuality to coerce Macbeth to commit regicide. At best, Lady M is shown to be a two-dimensional portrayal of character that sometimes evokes a biblical Eve to her husband’s Adam, offered as a temptress that has 'vaulting ambition'. At worst, she is merely a foil for Macbeth to contextualize his own moral misgivings and equivocations in the action of the story.
We wondered: what happens if Lady M is examined as the principle architect of the
story? Is there a way to portray Lady M as a sympathetic character? How could her
actions be justified beyond her simply being evil?
We were interested in exploring what happens if Lady M is endowed with a stronger sense of humanity, and a greater motivation to conspire and commit her and Macbeth’s dark deeds. What happens if Lady M isn't merely ambitious and cold? What if she has good reason to want the monarch dead? And what happened to their child that is only hinted at in the original text of the play?
This adaptation examines how Lady M might have remembered her role through an exploration of her memories in the last moments of her life. It is important to note that the story of either of the Macbeth’s is not a happy one. This experience was designed as a genuine investigation into one of literatures murkier characters. We won’t be upset if you don’t applaud at the end. Enjoy the show.
-M. Chase Grant
Utah Valley University acknowledges that we gather on land sacred to all Indigenous people who came before us in this vast crossroads region. The University is committed to working in partnership—as enacted through education and community activities—with Utah’s Native Nations comprising: the San Juan Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Uintah & Ouray Reservation of the Northern Ute, Skull Valley Goshute, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute-White Mesa Community, and urban Indian communities. We recognize these Native Nations and their continued connections with traditional homelands, mountains, rivers, and lakes as well as their sovereign relationships with state and federal governments. We honor their collective memory and continued physical and spiritual presence. We revere their resilience and example in preserving their connections to the Creator and to all their relations, now and in the future.
With this statement comes responsibility and accountability. We resolve to follow
up with actionable items to make the School of the Arts at UVU and The Noorda Center
for the Performing Arts an inclusive, equitable, and just space for all. There is
much work to be done, and we are committed to putting these words into practice.
Artwork by Shane Walking Eagle (Sisseton Dakota).
Our mission is to produce and present artistic excellence, which would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We thank them and express our deep gratitude to all patrons, supporters, and friends of The Noorda.
The arts possess the unparalleled power to inspire, educate, liberate, and transform. They elevate moments, mark milestones, soften edges, and generate profound meaning. Experience the beauty and wonder of the arts with us this season at The Noorda and begin at once to live!
Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Dean, School of the Arts
Chair, Associate Professor
LA BEENE, MFA
Associate Chair, Associate Professor
JULIE HEATON, MFA
Administrative Assistant
CURTIS CLUFF, MFA
Associate Professor
AMANDA CRABB, MM
Assistant Professor
JENNIFER DELAC, MFA
Lecturer
ELIZABETH GOLDEN, MFA
Lecturer
M. CHASE GRANT, MFA
Professor
LISA HALL, PHD
Professor
LAURIE HARROP-PURSER, MFA
Lecturer
SHANNON HUTCHINS, MFA
Assistant Professor
RICHARD LORIG, MFA
Professor
JOHN NEWMAN, PHD
Assistant Professor
STEVEN RIMKE, MFA
Lecturer
GRAHAM WHIPPLE, MFA
