BRATTLEBORO — Young Shakespeare Players (YSP) East-New England (as the satellite is named) presents “Macbeth” on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Hooker-Dunham Theater, 139 Main St.
Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and admission is free.
Here tackling “Macbeth,” which contains some of the most exquisite language in Shakespeare's canon and is considered one of his darkest and most powerful tragedies, are two casts of actors aged 7 to 18. There are two Macbeths (one per cast): one 12 and one 18.
When one cast performs, the other is the tech crew. Actors at YSP tackle all aspects of production, from acting and directing to all areas of stage tech.
According to the event announcement, the program is designed to show its young participants, their families, and the community that the works of William Shakespeare are neither dull nor above them, but rather delightful, accessible, and fun.
In addition to the Brattleboro performances, YSP East is invited by Amherst College Department of Theater and Dance to perform in Webster Hall, Studio 3, on Saturday, Dec. 14. Amherst College performances are at noon and 6 p.m.
The Young Shakespeare Players (YSP), a nonprofit theater program founded in 1980 in Madison, Wis., invites youth aged 7-18 to perform full-length, original works of Shakespeare. There are no auditions or rejections. Every young person who registers receives one or more substantial speaking roles.
The program is dedicated to exploring these masterful works as they were written, without modernizing or editing.
YSP East in Brattleboro says it is proud to be the first branch of YSP beyond Madison. This will be YSP East's third production and first full-length play.