The 4th Witch
Manual Cinema’s The 4th Witch is a fantastic new tale, inspired by elements of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, in which a girl escapes war and flees into a dark forest. Told through shadow puppetry, actors in silhouette and live music (without dialogue or narration), The 4th Witch begins on the eve of an invasion of a small town by the local warlord, Macbeth. The girl flees the invading army and escapes into the nearby forest. Orphaned and exiled, she is rescued by a witch, who adopts her as an apprentice. As she becomes more skilled in witchcraft, her grief and rage draw her into a nightmarish quest for vengeance against the warlord who killed her parents: Macbeth.
The 4th Witch, an inversion of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, explores themes of grief, war, generational conflict, and cycles of violence through the collateral damage left behind on the battleground.
Run time is 65 minutes.
Recommended for ages 12 and up.There are loud sounds and flashing lights.
The 4th Witch premiered June 4-8 2025 at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, SC.
Concept and Direction by Drew Dir
Devised by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace and Julia Miller
Original Score and Sound Design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
Manual Cinema's The 4th Witch (Sarah Fornace) photo by Katie Doyle
Manual Cinema's The 4th Witch photo by Katie Doyle
Manual Cinema's The 4th Witch (Sarah Fornace and Jeffrey Paschal) photo by Katie Doyle
Manual Cinema's The 4th Witch (Sarah Fornace) photo by Katie Doyle
Manual Cinema's The 4th Witch (Sarah Fornace and Julia Miller) photo by Katie Doyle
Manual Cinema's The 4th Witch (Jeffrey Paschal) photo by Katie Doyle
Commissioning and Support
Credits
PRODUCTION
A Manual Cinema Production
Concept and Direction by Drew Dir
Devised by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace and Julia Miller
Original Score and Sound Design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
Storyboards and Puppet Design by Drew Dir
Lighting Design by David Goodman-Edberg
Costume and Wig Design by Sully Ratke
Silhouette Masks by Julia Miller
Costume Assistant Griffin DiStasi
Puppet Build Assistant Caitlin McLeod
Sound Engineer Mike Usrey
Stage Manager and Board Operator Ryn Hardiman
PUPPETEERS:
Lizi Breit (Witch)
Leah Casey (Witch)
Sarah Fornace (Girl)
Julia Miller (Lead Witch)
Jeffrey Paschal (Macbeth)
MUSICIANS:
Lucy Little - Violin, Vocals
Lia Kohl - Cello, Vocals
Alicia Walter - Keys, Guitar, Vocals