This spring, surrounded by the sounds of the real world under an open sky, our school transformed an ordinary outdoor space into the eerie world of Macbeth. Shakespeare’s tragedy unfolded in the elements: wind rustling through the trees, cool air setting the mood, and nature becoming the perfect scene partner.

The decision to stage the play outside was bold, and it certainly paid off. From ghostly entrances through shadowy paths to haunting monologues, the production reshaped an ordinary high school performance. It was immersive, raw, and unforgettable.

Directed by Mrs. Ortega, the outdoor production was a communal experience.  She said, “There’s something about Macbeth that makes it different from other plays. This play reflects the human condition when confronted with the temptation of power. It is also a story rooted in deep love and the tragic consequences of this love. I read the play through the lens of the characters as humans, not ambitious stereotypes. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are fundamentally human, flawed but human.”

The unique outdoor setting came with challenges: sound carried differently, weather had to be taken into consideration, and every scene had to be reimagined to fit the outside space. Mrs. Ortega said, “The decision to perform on the Morris Family Circle was always my vision, and I think performing in the natural setting and at dusk created a believable place for our cast to inhabit as Scotland, and to invite the audience to join in this tragic journey.”

Dr. Robida, who took on the role of the Old Man, found himself unexpectedly pulled into this world. “Mrs. Ortega just came out of nowhere and said she needed someone with some years and mileage,” he joked. “I took it as a huge compliment—and was also terrified.” While learning the Shakespearean lines was daunting, stepping into the outdoor space made it feel more organic. “Everything else felt unfamiliar—the only natural part was the language,” he said.

The actors embraced the Shakespearean script head-on. Sam Scheiner ’26, who played the voice of reason, Macduff, describes the difference from other productions. “Musicals are in our own language. With Shakespeare, it’s like learning a new one,” he said. “You can’t just say the lines. You have to step into that time period and believe you’re actually in 1500s Scotland.”

For Sam, playing Macduff was a personal and artistic challenge. “Macduff is the show’s anchor. He loses everything, but he never loses his sense of right and wrong. He’s like the Scottish Batman,” Sam said. Known for his humor in previous productions, Sam surprised audiences with the weight and gravity he brought to the role. “This was the first time I got to show a different side of my acting. That meant a lot.”

One unique feature of this production was the number of students who took on multiple roles. Sophia Pichardo ’25, for instance, played Donalbain, a pious lord, and the commanding war general Siward. “Every time I thought I was done memorizing, Mrs. Ortega would hand me another role. It definitely kept me on my toes.”

Sophia found each role required a completely different mindset. “Donalbain is a prince who chooses to run and stay quiet. Siward is a general ready to storm a castle. And the lord I played was deeply religious, praying for clarity in chaos. I had to reset before each one—remind myself who I was, what I believed, what I feared.”

To do that, it often took a few minutes backstage to mentally shift. “For Donalbain, I’d stare at Eva, who played my sister, and really think—this is my sister. Our dad has just been murdered. What now? How do I feel?”

That sense of realism, of deeply stepping into someone else’s shoes, ran through the whole production. Whether they were noble warriors or scared fugitives, the actors made every emotion feel grounded.

Dr. Robida said one of his favorite parts of the process was watching the cast grow and support each other. “Being backstage—if you can call it that—and seeing Mrs. Ortega’s passion, watching the kids go all in…it felt like a Hollywood set,” he said. “And what really struck me was how talented they all are. You create a family, and with any family, you love them.”

That feeling was echoed across the cast. Sam said, “Getting to do Shakespeare is something any actor dreams of. Doing it here, with these people, outside—it felt epic.”

What made this Macbeth so special wasn’t just the quality of the performance. It was the risk, the energy, and complete and total immersion. There was no curtain to hide behind, and no stage lights to separate actors from audience—just students, in the evening moonlight, telling a very old story in a very nuanced way.

As the final battle echoed under the night sky and Macbeth’s fate was sealed, the audience knew they had witnessed something bold and spectacular.

And, in that moment, Shakespeare came alive—not on a stage, but in the open air, in the hearts of everyone who sat in the audience.