ALL ROLES OPEN
Stone Church Players encourages actors of all race, ethnicities, identities, and body types to audition.
Character Breakdowns
Macbeth – A 11th Century Scottish warrior general and the thane of Glamis (eastern Scotland). He is extremely intelligent, religiously devout (initially) and wildly physical and passionate in his life. (The real Macbeth actually completed a pilgrimage to Rome). He is led to “wicked” thoughts by the prophecies of the “witches,” especially after their prophesy that he will become the thane of Cawdor comes true. He is easily tempted (seduced) by his wife into murder to fulfill their ambitions for the throne. He shows at the beginning of the play that he knows right from wrong and then chooses to do wrong without being able to justify it to himself. Ultimately, he is unable to bear the psychic consequences of his atrocities.
Lady Macbeth (Gruoch) – Macbeth’s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. To all around her, she is physically and mentally strong, proud and flirtatious, but internally she is haunted and insecure. After the bloodshed begins, her journey turn to one of guilt and madness, as her outward mask begins to melt away.
The Three Witches (gender and age-free) - Three mysterious “other-worldly” entities who plot mischief like puppeteers against Macbeth using charms, spells, sounds and prophecies. In our version, the witches will be on-stage for 75-80% of the time – watching, influencing, communicating with each other - stepping into roles to further along their intentions.
Banquo – The brave, noble warrior general and best friend to Macbeth. According to the witches, Banquo’s children will inherit the Scottish throne. He, like Macbeth, has ambitious thoughts, but he does not translate them into action. After his murder, Banquo’s spirit returns to haunt Macbeth, embodying Macbeth’s guilt and treachery.
King Duncan – The good king of Scotland whom Macbeth, ambitious for the crown murders. The actor portraying Duncan will return to play other roles in the later parts of the play.
Macduff – A Scottish nobleman hostile to Macbeth’s kingship from the start. He eventually becomes a leader of the crusade to unseat Macbeth. The crusade’s mission is to place the rightful king, Malcolm, on the throne, but Macduff also desires vengeance for Macbeth’s murder of Macduff’s wife and young son.
Malcolm – The son of King Duncan, whose restoration to the throne signals Scotland’s return to order following Macbeth’s reign of terror.
Hecate and Lady Macduff (played by the same actress) – Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft, who helps the three witches work their craft. Lady Macduff is the wife of Macduff and she and her home provide the polar opposite to that of Lady Macbeth and the hellish world of Inverness.
The Porter – the drunken doorman of Macbeth’s castle. One scene, but it is a show-stealer!
Lennox and Ross – Scottish noblemen
Roles to be portrayed by the witches and other actors: Fleance (Banquo’s son who survives Macbeth’s attempt to murder him), Donalbain (Duncan’s second son), the General, the Doctor, the Gentlewoman and the Murderers.