LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University is proud to be a part of a collaboration with the upcoming presentation of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, “Macbeth,” at the Schwarz Theater Theatre in Loso Hall.

The production, brought to life by director Grant Turner, promises an enthralling interpretation that will leave audiences spellbound.

Turner brings more than 25 years of experience in acting, directing and producing to the stage. He was inspired to bring the play to EOU after volunteering at La Grande High School with high school students.

“It just made sense,” Turner said. “Rather than read Shakespeare in a classroom, I hoped to bring students to see it performed live. My hope for them is to instill an appreciation that carries forward into their adult lives.”

The cast, led by Turner, has dedicated countless hours to fine-tuning their performances. Cody Wyld Flower, one of the actors in the production, describes “Macbeth” as a tale of betrayal, ambition and dark supernatural elements. Flower emphasizes the importance of trusting Shakespeare’s language to convey the story’s depth and complexity, a sentiment echoed by Turner himself.

“I would say this is an intense dark world where you see people willing to do dark acts to get ahead. We specifically work hard to make the language the focus of our performances,” Flower said. “We strive for the audience to leave going, ‘Wow, I actually understood that.’”

For Turner, the collaboration with Eastern Oregon University provides a unique opportunity for students, alumni and community members to immerse themselves in the world of Shakespeare.

By working alongside seasoned professionals, aspiring actors gain invaluable insights and inspiration, fostering growth and confidence on stage.

“Working with people who have been professionals, semi-professional, is a great opportunity for the students to learn,” Flower said. “When you have someone who’s been doing this for a long time — I’ve been doing this for 10, 15 years — if they see someone with experience take risks, it kind of emboldens them to take risks and they learn a lot through just working with people with experience.”

Despite the initial challenges of Shakespearean language, Turner encourages audiences to approach “Macbeth” with an open mind. As the play unfolds, he assures, the language and depth of the characters will become increasingly accessible and engaging.

“The language is dense, it is poetic. It is written in a syntax that we don’t speak today,” Turner said. “If you give it time, I think the thing I would say, perhaps the most important thing I would say, is just have no fear. It will all make itself accessible in the end.”

The performances of “Macbeth” will run from April 11 to April 13 at 7 p.m., with an additional matinee on April 14 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available for purchase online or at the Schwarz Theatre box office. General admission is $15; seniors/veterans are $10 and EOU students are free.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eou.edu/theatre and click on “Production Season.”