March 20, 2025

Wheeling University to Host Performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth on April 3

WHEELING, W.Va., March 20 – Members of the Rustic Mechanicals theater group will bring to life Shakespeare’s Macbeth during a performance at Wheeling University Thursday, April 3 inside the University’s Troy Theater.

According to William ‘Butch’ Maxwell, instructor of English/Communications, this production underscores Wheeling University’s commitment to making the arts an essential part of academic life and the cultural enrichment of the students.

“We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding professional theatrical troupe to Wheeling University for their production of Macbeth. Having seen their performance last year, I was deeply impressed by their artistry, storytelling and ability to bring classic works to life in ways that resonate with modern audiences,” Maxwell said. 

Prior to the April 3 performance, there will be a pre-show music jam at 6:30 p.m., with the show set to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $15, however, all Wheeling University faculty, staff, and students will be admitted free by presenting their University ID card. The general public can purchase tickets atour.show/rmmbwu.

Founded in the summer of 2014, The Rustic Mechanicals is the only troupe of actors in the state dedicated to touring the works of William Shakespeare and other classical playwrights. Based in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the real-life husband and wife founders of the Rustic Mechanicals, play the original power couple depicted in Macbeth.

Jim Warren, director of Macbeth, said, “What an awesome challenge we have in carrying the torch of doing Macbeth using Shakespeare’s staging conditions to gross-out, freak-out, surprise, delight and scare our audiences without light boards, sound boards or electric fog machines. We will create a live, acoustic soundtrack: creepy sounds/voices that will help an audience imagine the heath, the castles, the backdrop for the battles in ways that Shakespeare’s company did for the play’s first audiences.

Maxwell added, “This production is a fantastic opportunity for students and the community to experience Shakespeare’s work performed at the highest level, and I encourage everyone to attend. Our students, faculty, staff and the greater Ohio Valley community are invited to an evening of unparalleled theatrical brilliance.”

Working alongside Warren on the April production are: Voice and Text Coach, Bridget Rue Esterhuizen; Fight Choreographer, Millie Omps and Dramaturg John S. Shirley. The Mechanicals featured in this production include; Jason A Young, Sarah Young, Joshua Brooks, Stephen Phillips, Sinead Tobin, Asa Krinov, Aaron Harris, Seret Cole and Iris Kolenich.