That Which Hath Made Me Bold: Autumn Dagenhardt plays Hailey in MACBITCHES

'It's just so unexpected. I mean, actually, walking out of that audition I kind of had a feeling?'

When freshman college student Hailey is cast as Lady Macbeth, a meet-and-greet party with upper-class peers becomes a night of spilled tea and shocking sabotage. A darkly humorous tale about creative rivalries and toxic environments, MACBITCHES plays in the Firemen's Kitchen at HCT May 1st - May 16th.

Returning to the Firemen's Kitchen stage in this show, as not-so-naive ingenue Hailey, is Autumn Dagenhardt.

A Hickory native, Dagenhardt holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Appalachian State University. She is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Green Room Community Theatre, so it is greatly appreciated for this production that Dagenhardt describes herself as "the actor most likely to turn an actor outing into marketing content". When not helping her cast mates go viral online, Dagenhardt enjoys painting and yoga. Dagenhardt previously appeared at HCT in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, and in Out There Theatre Company's production of HEATHERS THE MUSICAL. She's also performed at the Green Room Community Theatre in such productions as SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD and LEGALLY BLONDE.

"I love that Hailey is bold and completely unapologetic about who she is," says Dagenhardt of her character. "She’s loud, confident, and a little chaotic, which makes her incredibly fun to play. I love that [MACBITCHES] takes something familiar like ambition and power and explores it through such a wild, modern lens. I’m so excited to be a part of a production like this."

Performances of MACBITCHES are Fridays and Saturdays, May 1st-16th at 7:30pm; Sundays, May 3rd and May 10th at 2:30pm; and Thursday, May 14th at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for youth and students. Due to adult language and content, the production is recommended for ages 18 and up. Tickets are available at hickorytheatre.org or by calling 828‑328‑2283.

MACBITCHES is produced in association with Pretty Chicken Productions, with additional support from a Friend of the Theatre. Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives sustaining support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Season 77 support is provided by the City of Hickory, A Cleaner World, Shurtape Technologies, Acuña & Acuña Dentistry, and BellaAge.

(Photo: Katherine Stone)