Welcome to Lexington High School’s production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Tonight you will watch a dramatization of the Salem witch trials, exploring themes of mass hysteria, religious fanaticism, and the abuse of power, culminating in the unjust execution of innocent individuals. The Crucible is widely interpreted as an allegory for the McCarthy era in the United States when Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign of anti-communist investigations and accusations that led to the persecution of many innocent people. Miller used the historical context of the Salem witch trials to explore the dangers of political and social hysteria.
Since reading this play in the 10th grade I have felt a deep desire to direct a production of The Crucible. The themes of this show had a profound effect on me as they are so heart-wrenching and intense. While this show was written at the height of the 2nd Red Scare, Miller set this piece in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. The Crucible's themes continue to have significant relevance in our production, 70 years after the original show's opening in 1953. I developed the concept of setting our characters in the 1950s in hopes that it might help the audience recognize this show’s continued pertinence. The language is still that of Salem in the 1600s, but the visualization of the show is set in what would have been Arthur Miller’s modern day. It is my hope that while the language may sound different, we should be reminded that the consequences of these characters' actions were still possible in the 1950’s and are possible today.
The students have worked tirelessly on memorizing, analyzing, and understanding this historic text. I am beyond impressed with their work ethic, professionalism, and tenacity in taking on this difficult piece of work. I hope that you can see the emotional turmoil that our student actors bring to this story. They have been a delight to work with and I will miss this group of students very much. Please remember these students only get paid by your applause, so please pay them well.
