When we set out to select a play for this season, our primary goal was to provide a platform for our young actors to not only showcase their talents but also to challenge and deepen their ability to tell a story with authenticity. Theater, at its core, is about storytelling. The Crucible was the natural choice. While based on a chilling historical incident, it is ultimately just that: a story. High schools often shy away from this tragedy due to the demands of its intricate and complex characters. However, we had every confidence that our student actors would rise to the occasion and wholeheartedly embrace the challenge of breathing life into these characters.
Many of the actors you'll see on stage this evening are inspired by real people who lived in the Puritan colony of Salem during the 17th century. Salem was founded by Puritans – strictly Orthodox colonists who ostracized those who did not fit their idea of “godliness”. This mindset was exceptionally hypocritical, as the Puritan people had themselves been persecuted by the English for their desire to practice a different religious doctrine. Puritan colonists lived in a time before the concept of separation between church and state took root in what would become the United States; the church and the law were inseparable. As they struggled to establish their livelihoods in an unfamiliar land, when things went awry they would oft blame the devil.
We are immensely proud to present the hard work and talent of our remarkable cast and crew. Guiding them as they developed this story and their characters has been a truly rewarding journey. As you settle in for the performance, keep in mind that this story, though set in a distant time and place, carries timeless lessons about the dangers of fear-driven accusations, the consequences of extremism, and the inclination to search for a scapegoat in times of trouble. So, relax, but don't get too comfortable; haven't you heard? “The devil’s loose in Salem”.
-Directors, Caitie Almond, David Mayer, & Levi Walker
