MAT holding second round of auditions for 'Macbeth' Sunday and Monday

Editor’s note: This version corrects the title held by Jay Pyette.

The local acting troupe is holding a second round of auditions for a major event in the late summer, an outdoor production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” in Beaver Creek Park.

Auditions are in The Little Theatre in Montana State University-Northern’s Cowan Hall Sunday starting at 4 p.m. and Monday starting at 7 p.m.

Montana Actors’ Theatre Executive Director Jay Pyette, who is the production manager for “Macbeth,” said only a few roles have been cast so far, after the first round of auditions, and some major parts are still available.

“We need a great many people for this production and encourage everyone to come give it a try,” he said.  

No experience or preparation is needed, but people can read the audition selections on the MAT website at https://mtactors.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Macbeth-Audition-Selections.pdf .

The production and outdoor fair will be at and near Lions Campground in Beaver Creek Park for one weekend, Aug. 26-28.

Pyette said food, drinks, booths, games, music and activities will be available all three days with the Sunday event focused more on kids.

He added that other groups will be involved, including the Lions Club and Friends of Beaver Creek Park, and they will be handling things at the event itself in the Lions Campground area.

The production is taking place in the park directly west of Lions Campground.

“The show is outside, obviously, and huge,” Pyette said. “Horses, battles, the whole Mcshebang.”

He said the play is free for everyone to attend thanks to the sponsorship of Frank and Betti Barber.

“They are the royalty of the event,” he said.

He added that MAT is trying to arrange busing from Havre, but that has not been finalized yet.

Mike Zook, the artistic director for Macbeth, said this year’s fair and outdoor production should be a huge production involving many people.

“MAT has been gradually building this into a bigger event all the time; we anticipate it will attract people from beyond the local area,” he said. “We’re excited.”