Editor's Note: In May 2018 and December 2023, Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles, California, brought Mick and Beth Rule the School to the stage, directed by the play’s author, Nancy Kissam. This comedic reimagining of Macbeth is set in 1989 and takes the Bard’s iconic tragedy into the halls of a high school, blending Shakespearean drama with dark humor and relatable teenage struggles. With themes like ambition, peer pressure, and betrayal, the play offers a fresh and engaging take for students and audiences alike.
The return to the play in 2023 allowed Kissam to revisit her work and refine its staging, incorporating insights from its first production. Below, Kissam reflects on the challenges of bringing this unique adaptation to life, her thoughts on casting, and why the play’s message continues to resonate with young audiences.
Challenges of Staging Mick and Beth Rule the School
Staging the play was challenging due to the number of repeating sets. We couldn’t simply build one or two and call it a day. I had to find creative ways to represent Mick and Beth’s kitchen, Beth’s room, a school auditorium, the exterior of Duffy’s house, and more. Like a Shakespearean production, I kept things simple by asking, “What are the vital set pieces that will clearly indicate each space?”
For the witches’ forest, we built plywood trees that stood behind the witches, with a Coleman-like stove at the center of their trio.
Mick and Beth’s kitchen featured a counter with a sink, which doubled as a Tiki bar. One side served as the kitchen counter, while the other—decorated with Hawaiian accents—served as the bar where Mick and Beth devise their plans and where Beth chats with a fish (puppet). A key detail is ensuring the actor playing Stacey can easily move in and out of the cabinet beneath the counter to operate the Stacey Duncan fish puppet. There also needs to be a hole in the counter for the puppet to emerge.
Beth’s room was kept simple, with a bean bag chair for easy movement. To reflect her musical tastes, I included a Joy Division or Siouxsie and the Banshees poster, which could descend via a fly rail.
Malcolm’s room followed a similar approach. A squishy, portable chair worked well for blackouts, and a Star Wars poster could descend from a fly rail or be mounted on a wheeled clothing rack. While in his room, Malcolm is shown playing a 1980s Atari-like video game, with sound effects enhancing the scene.
Duffy’s house was represented by a simple four-step stoop, indicating the front of his home.
The school auditorium set took up the entire stage, with Hawaiian decorations hanging from rails and inflatable palm trees downstage. We also built a Tiki bar for Banks’ dramatic post-murder entrance.
With minimal sets, the actors had to work harder to make their surroundings feel authentic to the audience, fully immersing us in each scene.
Casting Insights
I strongly believe in gender-bending when it comes to casting. How an actor connects with the character and shares that connection with the audience is far more important than gender identity. In our 2023 production, for instance, more female-identifying students auditioned, so female students played Malcolm and Donald, and they were fantastic. If the actor is skilled, any role can be played by any gender.
The Play’s Message
Set in 1989, the play reflects issues that surrounded me as a teenager—drinking, bullying, and the rare tragedy of suicide. While drinking has largely been replaced by drugs, and cyberbullying has been added to the mix, these core issues remain relevant. Suicide, unfortunately, is even more pressing today than it was in 1989.
Despite these heavy themes, students consistently connect with the play’s overall message. If they didn’t, I don’t think they’d enjoy it as much as they do.
Audience Response
Audiences are always surprised by Beth’s twist at the end, which delights me to no end. Pulling off a twist is tough, so it’s gratifying when people don’t see it coming. I’ve also been thrilled by how middle and high school audiences react to the play. In an age where attention spans are challenged by social media, it’s rewarding to see young people sit and stay engaged for two hours.
2023 Production Photos
Photos © Nancy Kissam