Demystifying the Classic 'Macbeth' for Modern Classrooms
“Double, double toil and trouble,” the Three Witches famously chant in “Macbeth.” For many students, Shakespeare can feel like a riddle. But the Levoy Theatre, with its upcoming Daytime Series presentation of “Macbeth” in partnership with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, aims to demystify this Shakespearean classic. The Daytime Series is dedicated to providing engaging and educational live theater experiences tailored specifically for school audiences.
On Monday, April 13th, the Shakespeare Theatre’s acclaimed touring company, Shakespeare LIVE!, is coming to the Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey. The troupe of ten actors will perform an abridged version of William Shakespeare’s story about a Scottish general named Macbeth who meets three witches who tell him he will one day be king. The play dwells on the tragedy of unchecked ambition. This production is followed by a post-show talkback with the cast, allowing students to engage directly with professional artists to build lasting artistic literacy.
Demystifying Shakespeare and Interactive Learning
The Levoy’s Daytime Series targets Pre-K through 12th Grade students, with performances that are designed to align with school curriculum, creating a unified and consistent path for student learning. Several professional theater touring companies regularly visit the Levoy, performing as part of the Daytime Series. The Bright Star Touring Company has brought productions such as “Winnie the Pooh” and “Let it Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement” to the stage. The Levoy Theatre also utilizes its own mainstage Broadway season for the Daytime Series as well, with plays such as “Our Town,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” and “The Mousetrap.” Through Shakespeare LIVE!, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has presented abridged versions of classic works, previously including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and this year’s “Macbeth.”
Carefully curated for school groups and educators throughout South Jersey, Levoy’s Daytime Series fosters meaningful connections to literature, history, and the arts while engaging audiences of all ages and supporting the “Arts for All” mission of the Levoy Arts and Education Center.
Building on this commitment to arts education, the Shakespeare Theatre serves as a vital partner by making Shakespeare accessible and engaging. This approach focuses on demystifying the language and themes of Shakespeare’s works, helping both teachers and students to connect with the material in ways that are relevant and exciting. Last year alone, the Shakespeare Theatre reached over 10,000 students in New Jersey and the surrounding area.
This connection to classroom learning is vital for educational partners like Millville High School. As Caitlin Geisser, Levoy’s artistic director of education, points out, Shakespeare is a central part of the school’s English curriculum and theater program. Consequently, the Levoy prioritizes Shakespeare in its Daytime Series to directly support the needs of local students and educators.
Geisser notes that since “Macbeth” is a text that students actively study in class, it was a logical and thoughtful choice when planning the Levoy’s season. “Inviting the New Jersey Shakespeare Theatre to return with this particular production was a decision made to directly align with and support local school curriculum,” she adds.
The Value of Live Shakespeare for Students and Teachers
Geisser believes the most amazing aspect of the Shakespeare Theatre’s involvement is how they make Shakespeare accessible to students who may not have had the opportunity to experience it performed live. While students often encounter Shakespeare’s works through reading and classroom study, “getting to see those words put into action on stage offers a unique and valuable experience,” she says.
This live theatrical experience is equally significant for educators. It enables teachers to observe their students as they connect with the material in real time, providing a richer context for classroom discussions and learning. Geisser emphasizes that the impact of seeing the play performed, rather than simply analyzing it in written form, allows students to engage with the material in a way that is both immersive and memorable.
To further enrich the educational value, Shakespeare LIVE! performances are paired with a comprehensive study guide and post-show talkback session. The study guides feature sections covering Shakespeare's life and artistic contributions, a synopsis and background material on the featured play, as well as a variety of writing activities to stimulate classroom discussion.
According to Molly McCarthy, Shakespeare Theatre’s education program manager, educational materials are meticulously aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), meeting state academic requirements for arts education. This ensures that teachers can rely on the theater as a valuable and effective resource, seamlessly integrating live performance into classroom curriculum and supporting targeted learning objectives for students.
The post-show talkbacks are 10 to 15-minute interactive sessions between actors and students that are engaging and lively, with the topics varying based on the age group and the specific interests of the students. McCarthy observes that students often express curiosity about the actors’ process, especially how performers manage to switch from one role to another so quickly. She explains that with a touring company of ten actors who often play over twenty characters in a production, it’s not uncommon for an actor to exit the stage as one character, change costume, and return as someone entirely different.
With “Macbeth,” questions frequently arise about “the portrayal of the witches and their role in the story,” McCarthy says. “Students share how they envisioned the witches while reading the play compared to the (portrayal) they saw on stage.” This exchange allows students to share their own interpretations and theories. She further notes this interaction not only deepens their understanding of the play but also enhances their appreciation of theatrical storytelling.
Abridging Macbeth for School Performances
As McCarthy highlights, the entire experience, including the performance and post-show talkback, is designed to last approximately 90 minutes. The goal is to keep the show itself around 50 to 65 minutes, ensuring it remains engaging and accessible for students.
While the play is shortened, the integrity of Shakespeare’s original text is preserved. “The language is not changed or toned down,” she says, instead, “we trim and condense the material.” She stresses that when adapting shows for schools, the focus is always on retaining the critical key moments necessary to tell the story. “For Macbeth, the text is pretty tight, so there are limited areas for cuts,” she explains. “So, we shortened scenes and collapsed some characters, but the essential elements of the story are maintained.”
McCarthy is eager to see how students connect to the characters and the story as it unfolds on stage. “There is something so universal about the story of “Macbeth,” touching on themes of ambition and loyalty, which are familiar to everyone,” she adds.
McCarthy observes how Shakespeare’s poetic writing brings deeply human emotions and experiences to life in a vivid and beautiful manner. Although “Macbeth” was written centuries ago, she maintains its exploration of the human condition continues to be relevant and relatable for modern audiences.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present its production of “Macbeth” at the Levoy Theatre with two performances scheduled on Monday, April 13, 2026: one in the morning at 10 a.m. and another at 12 p.m.
