By Kaylen Ayres '25
Theatre Roanoke College’s production of “Mac Beth” was recognized with the Citizen Artist Award by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. This national award recognizes programs using theatrical production to promote societal impact in artistic terms, encouraging empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and advocating for justice.
“Mac Beth,” written by Erica Schmidt, is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Theatre Roanoke College (TRC) took the entire production, complete with actors, crew, costumes, sets and props, to Albany, Georgia, from Feb. 6-10, 2024. Awards were announced several weeks later.
The all-female cast that first staged the show at Roanoke on April 19-22, 2023, performed at the theater festival. That includes Mary Langan ’26 as Witch 1, Natalie Arnold ’26 as Witch 2, Erin Trost ’24 as Witch 3, Kennedy Swineford ’26 as Macbeth, Hannah Pluim ’24 as Banquo, Emy Hampton ’24 as Lady Macbeth and Hunter Gall ’26 as Macduff.
At the festival, individual students were recognized for their achievements. Bronte Micek ’25 and Swineford were semifinalists for the Musical Theatre Initiative. Swineford also received the Musical Theatre Engaged in Voice award.
“I'm very proud of the work we did and what we shared at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival,” said Nelson Barre, assistant professor of fine arts. “It's especially heartening for us as a small program participating for the first time.”
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