STC SALON 23/24

MACBETH When: Thursdays | March 7–April 11 | 1pm–3pm   Where: IN-PERSON: Patron’s Lounge, Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington D.C., 20004 Technical rehearsal viewing on April 4 will be onsite at 1301 W Street NE Facilitator: Samantha Wyer Bello, STC Senior Director of Learning STC Salon for Macbeth is open for registration. Look inside this once in a lifetime production starring Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma, directed by STC Artistic Director, Simon Godwin.  Come join in this small group setting featuring “behind the scenes” knowledge about the intricacies of creation in bringing a STC stage production to life. Salon members get backstage access, insider knowledge, and conversations with artists to expand their understanding of STC’s productions, Macbeth and The Matchbox Magic Flute.  The Matchbox Magic Flute Salon will be held on Thursdays, May 2–June 6. More information on the content of these Salons to come soon! 

SCHEDULE

Week One – March 7 When three witches tell Macbeth that he will become King of Scotland, he plots with his wife to attain the title through an assassination, a bloody act that gives him his crown and sends him careening down the path of his own undoing. Unbridled ambition, supernatural forces, and murderous desires reign supreme in Shakespeare’s most poetic examination of evil. These significant themes will be explored in discussion with STC Associate Director, Dr. Drew Lichtenberg.  Week Two – March 14 Discuss this remarkable production with the Director of Macbeth, Simon Godwin.  Simon’s dedication to directing inventive classical theatre in both the United Kingdom and the United States has not only attracted impeccably talented, diverse actors and fellow artists as collaborators, but has also earned him a reputation for making bold directorial choices that illuminate classic texts that resonate with audiences.  Week Three – March 21 We will explore the production process with Joe Smelser, STC senior director of production. What does it take to renovate a warehouse in Washington, D.C. into a theatrical space for Macbeth? In addition to the playing area, there are other considerations including dressing rooms, box office and even restrooms. Joe and his production staff have been working an entire year to make this transformation happen. In this session, he will answer all of your questions on how they accomplished this incredibly challenging feat.  Week Four – March 28 This once in a lifetime production has numerous collaborators and stakeholders involved, including the brilliant cast and crew. Please stay tuned as we work on confirming a unique guest that will give their perspective on this extraordinary piece of theatre. Week Five – April 4 Participants will witness a unique technical rehearsal, “dry tech.” Be one of the first to see the playing space of Macbeth at a warehouse, 1301 W Street NE, and speak with the design staff about how STC created this space to serve this remarkable production. The focus on elements of scenic, costumes, lights, and sound will include conversations with the STC staff responsible for building the show with views of the technical process prior to including the acting company.  Week Six– April 11 For our final week of Macbeth, we will discuss the entire journey of the production – from Liverpool to Edinburgh to London to Washington, D.C. – with Max Schwager, STC’s general manager. The process of producing a play of this size and scope is a monumental task involving dozens of creatives and administrators. Max will share the planning of such a momentous production moving through four major world cities and ending at STC, where the idea originated.

Meet the Salon's Facilitator

Samantha Wyer Bello STC Senior Director of Learning Samantha is in her 12th season at STC, where she serves as senior director of Learning. At STC, she has directed Will on the Hill 2020-2023, created/adapted A Mini-Summer Night’s Dream and A Tiny Tempest, and directed staged readings in partnership with the National Academy of Sciences of Ada and the Engine, The Ruby Sunrise, A Number, Proof, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Arcadia, R.U.R, and Miss Evers’ Boys. Regional directing work includes Arizona Theatre Company: Wit, Proof, A Streetcar Named Desire, A Moon for the Misbegotten, I Am My Own Wife, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Lady with All the Answers | Kansas City Repertory Theatre: To Kill a Mockingbird | Arizona Repertory Theatre: Three Sisters, Angels in America, Arcadia, Company, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. In addition, she has directed for The Bridge Initiative, Childsplay, Inc. Voice and Vision - NY, Playwright’s Center, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland. Previously, Samantha served as director of education/associate artistic director at Arizona Theatre Company for thirteen seasons, where she led the creation of the education mission, department staffing design, and development of 80% of new programming during her term. In partnership with government, educational, and social agencies, she created over 450 education and community enrichment activities throughout Arizona while serving as a passionate ambassador and community liaison for arts education. Ms. Wyer Bello has been a grants panelist/guest speaker for arts organizations including DC Collaborative, Theatre Communications Group, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Tucson Pima Arts Council, Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture, and West Valley Arts Council. She has taught for Brescia University, University of Missouri, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona. Ms. Wyer Bello received her MFA in Acting/Directing at University of Missouri and is a proud member of SDC.