Last weekend, a crowd gathered in the meadow at Bloedel Nature Reserve just after closing for the opening performance of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which will run Thursday-Sunday nights through July 13, with no performance July 4.

The performance marks the annual partnership between Bainbridge Performing Arts and Bloedel Reserve to bring the Bard to Bloedel and the finale of the BPA’s performing season. The performances start at 7 p.m. This past weekend, guests started arriving at 6 p.m., laying out blankets or low chairs and picnic dinners to enjoy the show. By showtime, the cordoned-off space for the audience was packed.

This year’s performance of Macbeth is being directed by Pete Benson with fight scene choreography by Lee Ann Hittenberger. Rehearsals have been taking place since early May. Benson currently works as an English, drama, and video production instructor at Kingston High School and has been a part of several other BPA performances.

Benson’s Macbeth focuses less on political ambition and more on Macbeth’s descent into madness after being baptized into his fate by the witches. Instead of being cartoonish figures, the witches are shown as the invisible hands of that same fate, guiding Macbeth and Lady Macbeth through the events of the play. While it’s a somewhat dark reading of an already dark play, the BPA’s summer production also finds room for humor and levity through character portrayals, the events on the sidelines, and a juggling act during intermission.

The cast and crew of this production included many Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County locals, some making their debut performances with the BPA. Several Seattle-based actors also joined the cast.

Tickets need to be purchased in advance and can be found online at bloedelreserve.org/event/macbeth-2025/