English honors classes perform
‘Macbeth’ to gain better understanding.
By: Donna Lukiw
The courtyard at Hillsborough High School bears little resemblance to the Scottish Highlands in William Shakespeare’s "Macbeth."
But the school’s junior English honors classes made the best of it and, outfitted in red velvet robes, crowns, and swords, performed several scenes from "Macbeth" on April 20 to complete their studies of the play.
The 45 English honors students also invited other English classes to join them in the courtyard and watch them perform Shakespeare scenes.
"It really finalized ‘Macbeth,’" said Jess Gargivlo, who had "the gentlewoman" role in the play. "It was a good way to finish and it’s better than a test."
The student actors performed in front of the other English classes while reading from a script and acting out the different scenes from the play including the sleepwalking scene with Lady Macbeth, the murder scene, the banquet scene and the final scene of the play.
"It makes you appreciate people who would actually memorize (the script) for a play," said Jen Garoian, who played Lady Macbeth. "It’s very difficult."
Besides acting out the scenes, the students were also required to compile a director’s notebook with the director’s script with notation and stage directions, character analyses, costume sketches (real and conceptual) and the set.
"My work with these students never ceases to amaze me," English teacher Alysia Puma said. "The bar is set high, and they continue to surpass it by their own volition. These performances have offered yet another opportunity for me to see their exceptional gifts and for them to stretch themselves intellectually and creatively."
The students will be reading Beowulf next.

