macbitches

by Sophie McIntosh

COMEDY-DRAMA

When a freshman is unexpectedly given the coveted role of Lady Macbeth, a few upperclassmen actresses invite her over to “celebrate” her casting and reassert their positions at the top of the theatre department’s hierarchy. As the Fireball and Svedka flow, the girls interrogate their own sense of ambition as well as the power structures that have shaped their theatrical education.

Production Notes

time fall. the end of audition week.

Setting a college apartment. Also, the campus of a public university in Minnesota.

Characters

Hailey Hudson (Lady Macbeth) is a freshman BFA acting major from Kokomo, IN. She is thrilled to be making her mainstage debut at UMNC. “Shoutout to Mr. Hansen and the KHS Drama Squad!”

Piper Bell (Messenger #1) is a sophomore BFA acting major from Eagle Bend, MN. She has previously been seen on UMNC’s mainstage as Berta in Hedda Gabler. “Psalm 33:3.”

Cam Witkowski (Gentlewoman) is a junior BFA acting major and philosophy minor from Marquette, MI. She has previously been seen on UMNC’s mainstage as a Wedding Guest in The Drowsy Chaperone, Theban Elder/Chorus in Antigone, and an Attendant in Twelfth Night. “All my love to Mom, Dad, Abbie, and Lou (but none to Brian).”

Alexis Lapp (Lady Macduff) is a senior BFA acting major from Minneapolis, MN. She has previously been seen on UMNC’s mainstage as Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone, Maria in Twelfth Night, Mary Warren in The Crucible, and others. “This one’s for you, Mom.”

Rachel LaBeau (First Witch) is a senior BFA acting major from Mora, MN. She has previously been seen on UMNC’s mainstage as Hedda Tesman in Hedda Gabler, Janet Van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Abigail Williams in The Crucible, and others.

Author

Sophie McIntosh

Sophie McIntosh is a New York–based playwright and theatremaker. Her writing celebrates queer communities, gives voice to women’s experiences, and lovingly riffs on the cynical sincerity of young adults.

Recent productions of Sophie’s work include the world premiere of macbitches (New York Times Critic’s Pick) at the Chain Theatre, the college premiere of Eleven Months of Nuclear Summer at Notre Dame University, and Ipswich in the Boston Theater Marathon. Sophie’s plays have also been developed by Pioneer Theatre Company, the 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, the Bechdel Group, and Breaking & Entering Theatre...[FULL BIO]

Author

NY Times Critic's Pick

By Juan A. Ramírez

Aug. 22, 2022

Macbitches

NYT Critic's Pick

"Hailey loves acting. Sweet and guileless, she doesn’t know Broadway is home to plays, as well as musicals. She is also as earnest in her love for her craft as she is genuinely talented — a combination that earns the freshman the coveted role of Lady Macbeth in her Minnesota college’s production. So, of course, all of the older girls resent her.

Sophie McIntosh’s “Macbitches,” having its premiere at the Chain Theater, throws Hailey (Marie Dinolan) and four upperclasswomen together for a tight 85-minute exercise in youthful ambition and the corrupting...[READ at NY Times]