About MacBeth & Cheese
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“Fair is foul, and foul is fair – but our food is always fair (and delicious).”
MacBeth & Cheese began as a pun‑filled joke that got serious. In 2019, two longtime community‑theatre friends — director/producer Amy Windle and actor/producer Camille “CJ” Hashem — decided their love of storytelling and wordplay deserved its own stage. They co‑founded an all‑volunteer company in Brandon, Florida, with one goal: to serve up bold, surprising theatre experiences while giving local talent a home. The company operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, partnering with the Firehouse Cultural Center to produce at least two shows a year, ranging from classic mysteries to off‑beat comedies. Over the years, their productions – such as Alice’s Wonderland, Misery, Murder on the Nile, Steel Magnolias and The Odd Couple – have delighted audiences and kept them guessing.
Mission & Impact
MacBeth & Cheese isn’t just about putting on plays; it’s about building a community. The company is completely self‑funded, reinvesting proceeds into local arts and science initiatives and supporting the next generation of performers. Since its inception, MacBeth & Cheese has contributed more than $40 000 to the local community and helped dozens of volunteers gain stage and backstage experience. Their shows have also been critically acclaimed: the production of A Few Good Men earned 12 MONTI Awards, including Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Production and Best Costume Design.
Resilience in the Face of Disaster
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene unleashed a storm surge that submerged the Firehouse Cultural Center under as much as four feet of water. The floodwaters decimated the theater and adjacent pottery studio, destroying equipment, kilns, set pieces and even the chairs set out for MacBeth & Cheese’s run of Dial M for Murder. Firehouse Cultural Center executive director Chris Bredbenner described the immediate impact: “We have no home. We have program space and we have no revenue”. When he opened the door to the theater, water rushed out and the chairs were “lying flat,” a scene he called macabre.
MacBeth & Cheese’s losses were staggering. “We lost all of our wood materials that we build the sets with, some furniture, and we’re having to start from scratch to build sets again,” explained Amy Windle. With the venue unavailable, the company couldn’t schedule shows or auditions and faced material and income losses estimated at $16,000. The damage extended beyond the theater: dry wall, cabinets, electronics, sound equipment, lighting and all of MacBeth & Cheese’s sets and supplies were ruined. Yet the community’s response was immediate and heartfelt — volunteers lent hands, donations poured in, and a Facebook video raised $2,500 in days. “The response of the people in our local community blew me away,” Windle said. “There’s your family, and then there’s your theater family.”
Today, MacBeth & Cheese and the Firehouse Cultural Center are rebuilding. The disaster highlighted how essential their work is and reinforced their commitment to rise above and continue creating theatre, even without a permanent home.
Meet Our Founders
Amy Windle – Co‑Founder, Artistic Director & Cheese Aficionado
Amy has been involved in the Tampa Bay theatre scene for years, working as a director, stage manager and actor. Before MacBeth & Cheese, she was recognized at the Monti Community Theatre Awards for Best Featured Actress for her role as Constance in The Vampyre and for Stage Management on Seussical the Musical. Her sharp eye for detail and flair for turning suspense into immersive fun helped shape MacBeth & Cheese’s signature style. When she isn’t directing, Amy loves crafting elaborate props, tinkering with stage lighting and seeking out the perfect cheese pun.
Camille “CJ” Hashem – Co‑Founder, Producer & Resident Troublemaker
CJ is a veteran actor and producer whose performances have earned local acclaim. He received a Monti nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of Athos in The Three Musketeers and was featured in roles such as Bones in The Vampyre. CJ brings boundless enthusiasm and a dash of mischief to every production, whether he’s producing behind the scenes or stepping onto the stage. His love of mystery, noir and big theatrical twists drives MacBeth & Cheese’s commitment to interactive, edge‑of‑your‑seat storytelling.
What Makes Us Different
Volunteer‑Driven: MacBeth & Cheese is built by volunteers — from actors and directors to costumers and stage hands. Everyone who steps through our doors becomes part of the family.
- Community Focus: As a nonprofit partner with the Firehouse Cultural Center, we offer affordable, accessible theatre and return profits to the community.
- Award‑Winning: Our productions and artists consistently receive recognition at the Monti Awards and regional festivals.
- Resilient: After the 2024 floods destroyed our venue and equipment, we rebuilt from scratch with help from our community. Our story is one of perseverance and a belief that the show must go on.
- A Sense of Humor: We may tackle serious dramas, but we never take ourselves too seriously. From pun‑laced show titles to playful program notes, we believe theatre should be fun.
Join the MacBeth & Cheese Family
Whether you want to audition, volunteer, become a member, or simply enjoy a show, there’s a seat at our table. We invite you to be part of our story — after all, what’s a tragedy without a little extra cheese?