Vigilance Theater Presents: Mac Beth

Few modern adaptations carry the weight of Shakespeare's tragedies well. With a thoughtful backdrop that pulls the gravity of the original story to its fullest potential, Erica Schmidt’s Mac Beth is one of these few. Schmidt sets her adaptation as a play within a play, staging it in modern day with a group of teen girls rehearsing The Tragedy of Macbeth for their school play. As the actors quickly fall into the traditional script, one is swept up in Shakespeare’s prose alongside modern references made only through body language, props, and, in this case the actual stage.

Schmidt’s Mac Beth, directed by Ingrid Sonnichsen, opens in Pittsburgh on May 30 under Vigilance Theater Group in an outdoor performance at Washington’s Landing. Audiences are encouraged to bring or borrow a camp chair with them to the park in a true Shakespearean style viewing experience. 

Vigilance is an immersive theater group known for their experiential shows, often in intimate and unique settings. I have had the pleasure of seeing two Vigilance productions prior to our screening of Mac Beth and was thoroughly impressed by both. So when What Sleeps Beneath was invited to sit in on a preview of this upcoming performance, I was thrilled.

From the woods-like setting, to the phenomenal performances by each of the actors, Mac Beth is a truly haunting tale. What may seem like two disparate settings—Scottish nobles in 1606 and American schoolgirls in 2025—are blended together so well that one forgets the differences between the two. In fact, the two become synchronistic, drawing out more similarities than contradictions. The parallels presented begin to echo one another; the jealousy between clans, or cliques, the pettiness of Lady Macbeth, or the popular girl, the absurdity of power, the humor in a tantrum, the guilt, fear, internal loathing and reckoning of an emotionally wrought person. These are the threads woven from modern day to the past, stitching together how and why Shakespeare remains as relevant as ever. 

Mal MacKenzie gives an outstanding performance as Mac Beth, both immersing audiences into the Shakespearean language and leaving room for the modern anecdotes of the other players. Likewise, actors Bradleigh Bell, Lulu James, and Marisa Postava move effortlessly between the roles of the Three Witches and other characters, a feat that is easier said than done, especially in such an iconic text. The ending of Schmidt’s Mac Beth alters slightly from the original. Without spoiling the brilliance of it I will only say that it is somehow more devastating, more shocking, and a sharper lens through which darkness, chaos, and conflict thrive. “Double double toil and trouble” is much, much scarier when a group of schoolgirls are taunting you, even if you are a king. 

The cast of Mac Beth

If you are seeking a unique performance, and want to enjoy the beautiful weather, I highly recommend grabbing a ticket to Vigilance Theater’s Mac Beth.

The production is running from May 30 - June 15, 2025.

Some additional notes about the performance:

• Bring your own camp chair if you can. Borrowed chairs are limited. 

• Wear some bugspray. The performance space is not deep into the woods but is surrounded by some lovely trees and you may be more comfortable with a light bug repellent.

• Mac Beth is a tragedy. There is death, violence, simulated blood and gore. Unsuitable for persons under 16.

• Please contact Vigilance Theater directly for questions about accessibility at contact@vigilancetheater.com

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Article by Theresa B

Theresa writes about the intersection of art & anthropology and gendered horror. She loves demonic possession, satan, and can be found on Letterboxd.

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