In the current production of “Macbeth,” at the Ojai Art Center Theater (OACT), director Michael Addison created a new character — Wild Child — portrayed by Topa Topa School fifth-grader Coree Kotula.
Wild Child is a fourth witch, a witch-in-training, bringing a new element to the play, that runs weekends through April 8.
“Why the Wild Child?” asked Addison. “Evil corrupts, as the play shows. To show a child with the witches suggests that evilis learned, not innate. Or the opposite perhaps? What is a witch, a hag, a child — perhaps anyone, perhaps evil is in us all, brought out by learned example. A Wild Child adds a demonic energy, a terrifying warping of what we were told to believe about children.
“What a treat to work with this gifted young person,” Addison added. “And then to discover that she is as focused as any professional in the cast! Her talent is indisputable — but even more remarkable is the self- discipline she shows in her work in the ensemble.”
Kotula said she is excited to work with such an esteemed director. “This is my first Shakespeare experience and I’m honored to play the Wild Child creeping around the scary witches and all the evil action! I also play Lady McDuff’s son and sadly get killed on stage. We have a wonderful cast. Between Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff, Fleance and the witches, I have six awesome loving moms. Of course, it’s pretty special that my real mom is with me onstage!”
Her mother, Anna Kotula, most recently seen in “Animal Crackers” as Harpo Marx, is one of the three witches. “It has been an all-time highlight in life to be doing this play with my daughter,” said Anna. “Coree has a wonderful time onstage and backstage. I am always quietly thanking my lucky stars that I get to witness her delight and am in awe of her dedication. We witches get such a kick running the lines in the second act with Coree, because she so eagerly stands in for Mac- beth, reciting all his lines by memory!”
Ojai has been fostering the talent of many young actors for years. Recently actress Emily Hahn, who began on the Art Center stage at age 6, returned during the Ojai Film Festival to debut her newest movie, “Beautifully Broken.”
“Macbeth” is a joint production between OACT and the Ojai Performing Arts Theater.