From the Director's Notes

From June through September of 1692, twenty people in Salem, Massachusetts were executed after being convicted of witchcraft. Hundreds of people were charged and imprisoned until the hysteria subsided. The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller in political response to Senator McCarthy’s 1950s crusade against communist supporters, tells the story of the Salem witch trials. In Miller’s version, an undercurrent of the accusations includes Abigail Williams’ desire to be united with John Proctor by ridding him of his wife, Elizabeth. In the end, it is Proctor’s soul that stands to be lost.

The backdrop of this production is the forest. It serves as a literal reminder of the pioneer era in which these events took place. The woods were synonymous with danger and the unknown. To illustrate this, the trees serve as the doors and walls of Betty’s bedroom, John Proctor’s house, and the courtroom. The danger is not limited to the outdoors; it lurks within their households, psyche and judicial system. The Crucible asks more questions than it answers. What caused the outbreak of witchcraft hysteria? Were the girls simply lying to protect themselves or did they truly experience hallucinations? What role did law, faith, and grievance play in these events? Who was most culpable and why? What relevance does this show have to our modern world? I suggest you ask the cast and crew those questions.

According to the Director, Mrs. Wheeler, "I chose this play because it would challenge the actors; I felt confident that they could do it justice. I’ll let you be the judge of that..."

Mr. Blidy’s drawing class worked in collaboration with the fall play. The students in drawing class created ink drawings that correspond with the play, The Crucible.