OZ’s season of international programming ends with a truly spectacular production of Manual Cinema’s “The 4th Witch,” a visually spellbinding theatrical experience reimagining Shakespeare’s Macbeth through the eyes of a young girl living in war-torn France, adopted by the infamous trio of witches from the play. The company creates a full film right in front of your eyes, utilizing shadow puppetry, old-school overhead projectors, transparencies, live film, and an original score performed on cello and keys. Manual Cinema brings technical expertise and a big heart to every project, and this is no exception. The performance will be beloved by adults and youth alike, and is suitable for ages 12+.
Told through breathtaking shadow puppetry, actors in silhouette, and evocative live music, Manual Cinema’s latest theatrical experience is a “visually sumptuous” (City Paper) inversion of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Orphaned by war, a young girl is rescued by three witches, who agree to take her on as an apprentice on the condition that she must never use her powers for revenge. Consumed by grief and rage, the girl comes to realize that it was the warlord Macbeth who killed her parents — and that she must choose between reconciliation or vengeance.
Perfect for families and theater buffs alike, this highly-anticipated new production showcases Manual Cinema’s deeply resonant visual storytelling and ingenious mix of old and new technologies. You won’t want to miss the acclaimed company’s first return to OZ Arts since their sold-out hit “Frankenstein.” The performance is recommended for middle school and up, and it explores themes of grief, war, and generational conflict. It also does include loud sounds and flashing lights.
Manual Cinema is an Emmy Award-winning performance collective, design studio, and film / video production company founded in 2010 by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller, and Kyle Vegter. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive stories for stage and screen. Using vintage overhead projectors, multiple screens, puppets, actors, live feed cameras, multi-channel sound design, and live music, Manual Cinema transforms the experience of attending the cinema and imbues it with liveness, ingenuity, and theatricality. The company was awarded an Emmy in 2017 for “The Forger,” a video created for The New York Times, and was named Chicago Artists of the Year in 2018 by the Chicago Tribune.
Their shadow puppet animations were featured in the 2021 film “Candyman,” directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Recent productions include “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster,” based on books by Mo Willems, adaptations of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” and a revamped production of “The Magic City,” based on Edith Nesbit’s 1910 novel. In 2023, Manual Cinema completed production on their first self-produced short film, “Future Feeling,” and toured with folk rock band Iron & Wine.
Coming Wednesday, June 24, celebrate a year of inspired writing with OZ Arts and The Porch! “Art Wire 2026: An Inspired Evening of Writing,” is a FREE reading event with the 2025-26 Art Wire Fellows. Each writer from the 10-member cohort will share poetry and prose sparked by the past season of OZ performances, including stunning multimedia, dance, music, and theater from around the world. Doors at 6PM | Readings at 6:30PM. Don’t miss the “Stage to Surface” free art exhibition, curated by Ashley Layendecker, through August 23 at OZ Arts, courtesy of the Red Arrow Gallery, while you are there. OZ Arts Nashville is located at 6172 Cockrill Bend Circle, Nashville, TN 37209. Get your tickets for both events now at: www.ozartsnashville.org
