CHAMPION — Sips & Scripts, a play reading series presented by Kent State University at Trumbull Theatre and Modern Methods Brewing Company, returns with a play written by a Kent-Trumbull professor.

Peter Byrne, an associate professor of English, drew inspiration for his script “The Flower & The Serpent” from the research he did to play the title character in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” in 2015.

According to Byrne, “I decided to approach it from a creative perspective: why was Macbeth determined to be king? In doing so, I realized just how much the play is driven by an equally obscure desire: Why does Lady Macbeth want Macbeth to be king?,” Byrne said. “In figuring out the answer to that question, I was inspired to consider her story — who she was, and what the story of her marriage to Macbeth was like.”

The play tells the story of Lady Macbeth from her perspective — her life before and leading up to the events of Shakespeare’s play. The plot reveals her secret motivation for entering into the murderous conspiracy with her husband and shows that, far from being the tale’s villain, she is its true, albeit tragic, hero.

Violated as a young girl and torn away from the boy she loves, Lady Macbeth is drawn into the masculine world of politics and violence, seeking revenge for what was taken from her and discovering, in Macbeth, a partner who will not only give her justice, but love, as well. The bargain she has made with supernatural forces to achieve her vengeance, however, threatens to cost her everything she has discovered — too late — and all she truly desires.

Eric Kildow, associate professor and theater director, said Byrne is the first playwright from the Mahoning Valley featured in the series.

“His abilities as a playwright and history with the Kent Trumbull Theatre make this a script that we are exceptionally excited to feature in such a prominent position,” according to Kildow.

Byrne received national fame for writing scripts for the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual “Will on the Hill” benefit in Washington, D.C. For more than 10 years, he joined volunteers from the government (primarily members of the House and the Senate), along with local and national media, lobbyists and corporate sponsors to perform an original play based on Shakespeare and infused with comedic references to contemporary politics and culture.

The event raised money for the D.C. area’s artistic, education and community outreach programs.

Byrne also is the author of “Offstage Voices,” a collection of nine short stories that all deal with characters and events before or after the plays of Shakespeare. He also wrote an adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters,” which Kent-Trumbull Theatre planned to stage, but was shelved because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kent-Trumbull graduate Jess Brumfield will direct “The Flower & The Serpent.” The play contains episodes of violence, including sexual assault, so audience discretion is advised.

It is the first of eight plays that will be presented during the 2023-24 school year.

For the new season, the series moves from Modern Methods to the brewery’s Darlene Lounge, 145 W. Market St., Warren. Doors open at 7 p.m., and performances start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.kent.edu/trumbull/theatre.

2023-24 season

Sept 6 — “The Flower & the Serpent,” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Jess Brumfield

Oct. 4 — “Murdering Medea,” written by Aly Kantor and directed by Brian Westerley

Nov. 5 — “(Wo)Mansville,” written by Laura Barbieri and directed by Eric S. Kildow

Dec. 6 — “Faking Salvation,” written by Matt Hanf and directed by Shiloh Hart

Jan. 17, 2024 — “Clear Creek Tract,” written by Michael Dittman and directed by Brumfield

Feb. 7, 2024 — “Whirligig of Broken Umbrellas,” written by Ryan Bultrowicz and directed by Westerley

March 6, 2024 — “Pulling Back the Curtain,” written by Brandi Eaton and directed by Dakota Smith

April 3, 2024 — “Headliner,” written by Marilyn Forster and directed by Hart

All plays will be presented in a readers theater format at The Darlene Lounge, 145 W. Market St., Warren. Doors open at 7 p.m., and performances start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.kent.edu/trumbull/theatre.