Power. Madness. Witchcraft. Revenge. Macbeth explores the depths of human impulses and blurs the boundaries of reality and fantasy, fate and free will, masculinity and femininity.
We invite you to join the Western Civilisation Winter School at The University of Queensland (UQ) and engage with one of William Shakespeare’s darkest plays, a witch’s broth of politics, war, and religion.
In the School’s two-and-a-half-day residence program, you’ll explore Macbeth’s myriad ethical and aesthetic concerns through both discussion and acting. You’ll think about Shakespeare’s influences and what brought him to write this play, and also consider how Macbeth has influenced popular culture and performance. Working with UQ experts, you’ll come to understand more fully the relation between stage and page.
Join us for a unique experience that will help you understand one of Shakespeare’s greatest works. Though written in response to a contemporary political crisis – the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 – you’ll find Macbeth has continued relevance for our lives today.
Other activities include an evening performance of Express Macbeth, acting workshops with the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble, a visit to UQ's Fryer Library to examine Shakespeare's sources, and a Macbeth-inspired film night.
If you like reading, writing, or thinking about big ideas, this is the Winter School for you. The Winter School is open to all Year 11 and Year 12 high school students.
Event Details
Dates: The Winter School commences at 2pm on Monday 7 July 2025 and finishes at 2pm on Wednesday 9 July 2025.
Location: Women’s College, UQ, College Road, St Lucia QLD 4067.
Eligibility: The Winter School is open to all Year 11 and Year 12 high school students.
Cost: The Winter School is free. Accommodation and full-board during the Winter School are provided. Travel subsidies for students who are travelling from over 400 km away from Brisbane are available.
Registrations open in 2025. More details to come.