Phillip McMullin prepares for the leading role in Main Street Studios upcoming production of Macbeth.

Summer has traditionally been a busy time for Main Street Studios in Fredonia, and this summer is no different. Over the course of the next couple months, there will be several events and productions put on by the cast and crew of Main Street Studios.

The first major production is that of Macbeth, which will run from July 25-27. This will be the third year in a row that Main Street Studios has performed a classic Shakespearean play, and director Ben Sheedy has been around for all of them.

“Macbeth represents my third Shakespearean production with Main Street Studios and it is shaping up to truly be a sight to see,” said Sheedy. “The opportunity to collaborate with such a warm, committed, and talented group as this is truly a gift.”

The cast for MacBeth is a strong one for Sheedy to work with. Ted Sharon, the Founder and Artistic Director of Main Street Studios, will be performing in the show as Macduff, a role he played “years ago” in Florence Italy.

Additionally, Sara Schoch will be returning to play Lady Macbeth. Schoch, a SUNY Fredonia student from 2002 to 2005, originally returned to the stage in Fredonia two years ago for the Taming of the Shrew, and is now coming back again for her third time at Main Street Studios. Schoch, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago, said that not being on stage left a huge void in her life.

“I didn’t perform for a while during that time,” said Schoch. “There was something missing. There’s something special to be said about the kind of art we’re making here. We’ve got professionals, kids, elderly, people who’ve never been onstage, and the multi-generational factor of it all is such a huge part for me.”

Schoch, also an assistant professor of musical theater at the University of West Florida, said that she hopes people are able to take away three things from the show.

“That there is humor in tragedy, even if we have to find it; that mental illness is real; and that we make Shakespeare more accessible, digestible, and palatable for everyone.”

But Macbeth is not the only thing happening at Main Street Studios this summer. The summer kids camps are in full swing. The week of Macbeth, from July 22-27, kids from ages 12 to 18 will have the opportunity to help in the production, participating in the performances and rehearsals leading up to the show. These kids will also have the opportunity to act, sword fight and perform Shakespearean monologues and scenes.

From Aug. 5-10, kids of the same age range will be rehearsing and eventually performing a production of Anastasia, students from ages 11 to 14 will have their chance to perform Disney’s Descendants from Aug. 12-17, while the last performance will be Willy Wonka Kids from Aug. 19-24.

“Descendants and Willy Wonka are cool tie-ins to what is happening in film and TV,” said Sharon.

All of these camps happen as part of the Playground Drama Camps. The registration form can be found on the website, mainstreetsudios.org/playground, and students are accepted right up to the day of, though Sharon prefers an early registration to get a head count for the accompanying tee shirts.

More information about Main Street Studios, including the upcoming events and ticket prices, can be found on their website, mainstreetstudios.org.