By NATALIE GAMBRELL
A&E Editor

William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” is coming to the Mainstage, but it is probably not like you have ever seen it before. Instead of the traditional setting of the story, Piedmont’s version, directed by John Speigel, takes place in modern day Ukraine.

“John’s thoughts were that Macbeth would make a great movie hero today,” said sophomore theatre and mass communications double major Pearl Oppenheimer.

Modernized Shakespeare has become prevalent in pop culture over the years with “10 Things I Hate about You” as an adaptation of “Taming of the Shrew” and “West Side Story” as an adpaptation of “Romeo and Juliet.” However, this is the first time Piedmont theatre has taken a modern spin on Shakespeare.
While the play keeps the traditional text of the Shakespeare play, the cast and crew is working hard on making the sets and costumes reflect the modern day situation in the Ukraine.
“I wear business suits. I’m technically the wife of a general, but I also become the wife of the King of Scotland,” said Oppenheimer, who plays Lady Macbeth.
Many of the characters play soldiers and for those characters, many of the costumes were repurposed from old army uniforms.

“Mine and Macbeth’s were traditionally army uniforms,” said junior theatre major Jamie Doublet. “It really helps get me in character and put me in the mindset.”
Another way this production differs from other versions of Macbeth is its open minded attitude towards casting.
“What he did is not use a gender bias in casting even though a lot of them were traditionally male roles,” said Doublet, who plays Banquo, Macbeth’s right hand man.
Banquo is traditionally a male role, but along with many others, it is changed to a female role in this production due to the flexible casting decisions made by Speigel for this production.
“It took me two weeks to just adjust and remember I was playing a girl,” said Doublet. “But it’s cool to play such a powerful role as a woman.”

Piedmont’s theatre is hoping to bring a modern and exciting twist to this classic story.
“You could think Marvel Comics, lots of battles and lots of shooting,” said Oppenheimer.
If you want to check it out, Macbeth will be showing in the Mainstage Feb. 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 and Feb. 15 at 2:30p.m. Tickets can be bought by calling 706-778-8500 ext. 1355 or visiting piedmont.edu/fa