Online Production Packet for WBHS Theatre Arts

Program Fall Production of

THE CRUCIBLE

The application forms for this production are DUE back to Mr. Greene NO LATER than Monday, September 17th by 2:45pm. Be aware, this is 1 day prior to the audition!

AUDITION DATE: Tuesday, Sept. 18th from 3-6pm in the Forum PLEASE BE ADVISED: Full cast rehearsals are noted on the rehearsal calendar as “FCM”. All cast members should plan on attending rehearsal on these days. Additionally, outside of a family emergency of severe illness, absolutely NO rehearsals may be missed by any cast member during the FINAL TWO WEEKS of rehearsal. Please check your schedule prior to auditioning to ensure you will be available during these weeks.

General Synopsis & Character The Crucible, a brief synopsis:

The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The action begins in the home of Reverend Parris, whose daughter Betty lies unconscious and appears very ill. Around midnight the night before, Parris had discovered Betty, his niece Abigail, and Tituba, his black slave, dancing in the woods, causing Betty to swoon. The local physician is unable to determine the cause of Betty’s illness. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam arrive and reveal that their daughter Ruth is also ill. There is talk in the village of an unnatural cause.

Abigail warns her friend Mercy Lewis and the Proctors’ servant Mary Warren, not to reveal that they were all casting spells in the woods. Betty wakes, and Abigail threatens the other girls with violence if they tell anyone that she drank blood and cast a spell in order to kill Goody Proctor. Betty loses consciousness again.

John Proctor and Abigail talk privately about their former relationship. Prior to the opening of the play, Abigail worked as a servant in the Proctor home. Elizabeth Proctor was ill at the time and Abigail took on more responsibility within the Proctor household. When Elizabeth discovered the affair, she dismissed Abigail. During their discussion, Abigail becomes angry with Proctor because he refuses to acknowledge any feelings for her.

Betty wakes again and is hysterical. The well-respected Rebecca Nurse is visiting the Parris household and calms her. Prophetically, Rebecca warns Parris that identifying witchcraft as the cause of Betty’s illness will set a dangerous precedent and lead to further problems in Salem. Mr. Putnam asks Rebecca to visit Ruth and attempt to wake her. Ruth is the only Putnam child to survive infancy, and Mrs. Putnam is jealous of Rebecca because all of Rebecca’s children are healthy, whereas Mrs. Putnam had lost seven infant children.

Putnam, Proctor, and Giles Corey argue with Parris about his salary and other expectations. Parris claims that a faction is working to drive him out of town, and he disputes their salary figures. Putnam, Proctor, and Corey then begin arguing over property lines and ownership. Putnam accuses Proctor of stealing wood from land that he does not own, but Proctor defends himself, stating that he purchased the land from Francis Nurse five months ago. Putnam claims Francis had no right to the land and, therefore, could not sell it.

Reverend Hale arrives from another town to investigate the strange events in Salem. The people of Salem have summoned him as an expert in witchcraft to determine if witchcraft is behind the children’s illnesses. Hale learns that the girls were dancing in the woods with Tituba, and that Tituba can conjure spirits. Abigail blames Tituba for enticing her to sin. Hale then questions Tituba, and she admits that she has seen the Devil, as has Goody Good and Goody Osburn. Abigail also confesses to witchcraft, stating that she had given herself to the Devil, but that she now repents. Betty wakes up, and she and Abigail name individuals that they say they have seen with the Devil.

Eight days later, Elizabeth discovers that Proctor spoke to Abigail privately while in Salem. Elizabeth and Proctor argue over this. Mary Warren comes home from Salem where she is serving as an official of the court, and gives Elizabeth a poppet (doll) that she made for her while sitting in the courtroom. Mary Warren tells Proctor that some of the girls accused Elizabeth of witchcraft, but the court dismissed the charge because Mary Warren defended her.

Hale arrives at the Proctor house and questions Proctor about his poor church attendance. He asks Proctor to name the Ten Commandments. Proctor names nine successfully, but he forgets the commandment forbidding adultery. Hale questions Elizabeth as well. Proctor reveals that Abigail admitted to him that the witchcraft charges were false.

Marshal Herrick then arrives and arrests Elizabeth. Earlier that evening, Abigail feels a needle-stab while eating dinner, and she accuses Elizabeth of attempted murder. The authorities of Salem search the Proctor house and discover the poppet, along with a needle. Hale questions Mary Warren and learns that she sewed the poppet and stored the needle inside. Mary Warren also tells him that Abigail saw her sew the poppet and store the needle. Nevertheless, Elizabeth is arrested.

The court convicts Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse of witchcraft. Giles Corey tells the court he has proof that Putnam is accusing his neighbors of witchcraft in order to gain their land. Judge Danforth asks the name of the witness who gave Corey the information, but Corey refuses to cooperate. The court arrests him. Judge Danforth informs Proctor that Elizabeth is pregnant.

Mary Warren tells the court that she pretended to see spirits and falsely accused others of witchcraft. She reveals that Abigail and the other girls are also lying. Abigail denies Mary Warren’s charge, however, and she and the others claim that Mary Warren is sending out her spirit against them in the court.

Proctor denounces Abigail’s charge against Mary Warren, stating that Abigail is a lying whore. Proctor informs the court of his affair with Abigail and states that she is lying in order to have Elizabeth executed, thereby providing herself with the opportunity to become his wife. After Proctor agrees that Elizabeth would never lie, the court summons Elizabeth and questions her about the affair. Not knowing that her husband has confessed it, Elizabeth lies about the affair and is returned to jail. Abigail resumes her claim that Mary Warren is attacking her until Mary Warren recants her confession that she lied about the witchcraft and charges John Proctor as the Devil’s man.

Several months pass. Proctor is in prison, scheduled to hang, along with Rebecca Nurse. Elizabeth is also in prison, although the court has delayed her execution until after she gives birth. Hale attempts to convince the prisoners to confess rather than hang, but all refuse. Proctor confesses and signs a written affidavit, but he destroys the document rather than have it posted on the church door. Proctor is taken to the gallows.

A Note About the Characters: Due to the possibility of cuts being made to the script, character line counts will not be provided. However, the following breakdown should offer some degree of understanding on the size of roles. Leading Roles (in no particular order): Proctor, Abigail, Elizabeth, Hale, Paris, Danforth Medium Roles (in no particular order): Putnam, Ann, Tituba, Mary, Rebecca Supporting Roles (in no particular order): Mercy, Betty, Hathorne, Giles, Willard, Sarah, Susanna, Francis, Cheever, Hopkins

Minor Roles (in no particular order): Ruth, Marth, Goody Osborn, George Jacobs

Greene’s Character Descriptions: John Proctor: Proctor is an ordinary man, placed in a seemingly incomprehensible situation. It is true, he has sinned. He had an affair with a serving girl that was in his employment. During this period, adultery was considered one of the most reprehensible acts imaginable, only somewhat more tolerable than murder. Still, he confessed his error to his wife and has since strived to make amends. He cannot and should not be considered a fowl member of society. He is plain, ordinary man, not without his faults and willing to admit them, unlike the majority of his peers. This distinction allows us to empathize with Proctor. Sadly, death becomes the only option for his ultimate redemption. Elizabeth: She is a truly good woman. True, her husband’s adultery has caused a severe strain on her relationship. Not surprisingly, it is horribly difficult for Elizabeth to escape the history of this betrayal. In the months following her husband’s confession, Elizabeth has simply been present, but certainly not connected to her husband, physically, emotionally, or in any other form. Imprisonment coupled with separation from her husband allows Elizabeth the time necessary to process and reflect on the love she holds for Proctor. The depth and intensity of their bond is sealed permanently moments before John is lead to the gallows. Elizabeth is an amazing stoic and fascinating woman. The actor portraying this role must master a sense of understanding on the depths of her being. Abigail: Abigail is a truly wonderful character specimen. It is true that during this age people matured on a timescale far more rapid than our own. Still, I would like the actor playing Abigail to display a mixture of both the child and the adult. Abigail is, in many ways, still very much a naïve child. Her brief physical relationship with Proctor has cemented a fascination akin to the first love of many young girls. At the same time, through forced circumstances, Abigail is empowered with the authority of a respected figure, a leader. To maintain her powerbase, she begins to construct and then escalate a web of lies. At first, her actions are used in self defense. As the play progresses, she grows out of a defensive mode and begins open aggression. First prompted by fear, Abigail’s charade transforms into a reality she is constructing. If a lie is lived, breathed, shared and held by other as God’s truth, it cannot be a lie. It soon becomes a defined reality. This is the mindset that Abigail holds. This is the mindset that the actor portraying Abigail must display. Hale: Hale is a wonderful character. When he first emerges in the play, he is the epitome of young arrogance. The world is his oyster. His is empowered with a formal education. He is bolstered with an unquestioning faith of his authority that the unlearned (the majority of the population) have in him. This proves to be a fatal flaw, and it ultimately leads to the deaths of several innocent people. Hale recognizes his own arrogance and flawed self-perceptions, and during the second act he desperately tries to remedy the damage he has caused. Sadly, the wheels of justice roll forward, as halting their progression would create a calamity; the lie supports the court’s authority would be exposed. Tituba: She is the Reverend Parris’ slave from Barbados. As a servant, she is charged with the duty of caring for Parris’ daughter and niece. She has a natural bond with the children and young girls of the community. As a representative of a strange and distant culture, she is viewed with a definite sense of wonder, curiosity and awe by the youthful girls. Naturally, she seeks to share her knowledge with them. In an all too often practice, Tituba quickly becomes the target of anger and focus of blame for causing the sickness affecting both Ruth Putnam and Betty Parris. Although not an extremely large role, Tituba is a wonderful character and vital link of the play. I am looking for some truly dynamic reads on the part of those auditioning for this role. Don’t disappoint me to shallow stereotypes. Make this character come alive before my eyes with a realistic, understanding portrayal.

General Character Descriptions:

Reverend Samuel Parris: Minister of the town of Salem. He caught his daughter, Betty, with Mercy Lewis, Ruth Putnam, Mary Warren, and Abigail Williams dancing in the woods with Tituba. He thinks they were performing witchcraft and now he is terrified that he will be thrown out of Salem for having a witch for a daughter. He believes in the high authority of the court and the church. He thinks that anything said against the court or church is an attempt to undermine both institutions.

Betty Parris: Ten-year-old daughter of Reverend Parris. Caught by her father dancing in the woods with Tituba, Mercy Lewis, Ruth Putnam, Mary Warren, and Abigail Williams, Betty is accused of witchcraft.

Tituba: Reverend Parris' slave from Barbados. She was caught in the woods chanting with Betty, Mercy, Ruth, Mary, and Abigail. She knows about spirits and is accused of witchcraft.

Susanna Walcott: Abigail Williams' friend. She accuses people of being witches along with Abigail.

Mrs. Ann Putnam: Middle-aged woman around forty-five, she is the wife of Thomas Putnam and the mother of Ruth Putnam. She gave birth to eight children and seven of them died. Now, Ruth is ill, and she thinks it is because of witchcraft. She thinks that the whole town is falling under the hands of the Devil.

Thomas Putnam: Husband of Ann Putnam, he is around fifty and is a wealthy land owner. He is bitter with the town over old matters dealing with land. He accuses many people of witchcraft as a sort of revenge against them.

Mercy Lewis: The Putnams' eighteen-year-old servant. She was caught dancing in the woods with Tituba, Ruth, Mary, Betty, and Abigail. She pretends to see witches.

Mary Warren: A seventeen-year-old girl who works for John and Elizabeth Proctor. She was caught dancing in the woods with Tituba, Ruth, Mercy, Betty, and Abigail.

Rebecca Nurse: Wife of Francis Nurse. She is an older woman of seventy-two and very gentle. She is widely respected throughout Salem, as her husband has a strong voice in the town. She is eventually accused of witchcraft.

Giles Corey: One of the oldest men in the town of Salem and a good friend of John Proctor's, his wife is eventually accused of witchcraft. He tries to defend his wife, and when he does, he gets charged with contempt of court.

Francis Nurse: Husband of Rebecca Nurse, he is a wealthy landowner in Salem. He is widely respected and looked upon to settle many disputes. He had some bad relations in regards to land ownership, specifically with Thomas Putnam. He tries to settle the investigations of witchcraft in Salem.

Goody Sarah Good: An older beggar woman accused of witchcraft. She admits to having made compacts with the Devil.

Deputy Governor Danforth: Head of the court case dealing with the witch-hunt. He has a strong voice of authority in the court and will not be undermined. He questions anything anyone says to him as if it is a potential threat to both the power of the court and the integrity of the law.

Ezekiel Cheever : Man appointed by the court to arrest witches, he has a weak character. He says he is bound by the law to do what he has to do and never thinks otherwise. He is always seen with Danforth and listens to whatever Danforth tell him to do.

Judge Hathorne: Judge sent to examine some of the people accused of being witches. Like Cheever, he has a weak character and does whatever the law and Danforth tell him to.

Marshal Herrick: In charge of arresting all of the accused witches. Like Cheever, he also claims he is bound by the law to follow their orders to arrest accused witches. He never questions that the law may in fact be wrong.

Hopkins: The jailer.

Minor Characters (no dialogue):

Ruth Putnam: Daughter of Thomas and Mrs. Ann Putnam. She is ill and her mother thinks it is due to evil falling on the town of Salem. She is one of the girls caught dancing in the woods by Reverend Parris. Mrs. Putnam sent her to Tituba to conjure spirits in hopes that Ruth would be able to communicate with her seven dead siblings.

Martha Corey: Wife of Giles Corey. She reads books and hides them from Giles. This makes him start to wonder about her because whenever she has her book out, he cannot pray, but when she closes the book, he can pray again.

Goody Osburn: One of the women accused of witchcraft in Salem. She did not know the Ten Commandments when asked and is sentenced to be hanged.

George Jacobs: One of the people accused of witchcraft who now waits in jail. Giles Corey says that Putnam had his own daughter accuse Jacobs of witchcraft so that Putnam could buy off Jacobs' land when he hangs.

WBHS Fall Prod. of The Crucible- September 2007 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 FULL SCHOOL

DRAMA MEETING:

2:45-3:30pm

Freshmen

Orientation:

3:30-5pm

11 12 13

Holiday

Observance

(no school)

14

Holiday

Observance

(no school)

15 ACT Testing 16

17 Production

application forms

DUE to Mr.

Greene by 3pm

w/ parent/

guard. signatures

18

The Crucible

Auditions- in the

Forum 3-6pm

19

The Crucible

callbacks (if

necessary) 3-

4:30pm in the

Forum

20 Initial cast list

by 2:40pm to

accept role.

1st Full Cast Mtg

(FCM), read thrgh

script 3-5:30pm

21 1st Design

Meeting @

2:30pm, FCM in

Forum 3-5:30pm

22

Act I blocking,

scenes TBA

23

24

FCM 3-5p

Measurements

taken, blocking

Act 1, scenes TBA

25

FCM 3-5p, Act 1,

scenes TBA

26 WBHS Open

House, 7pm

Finish Act 1

blocking, scenes

TBA

27 Early Release

Day

Start blocking A2,

scenes TBA

28

FCM 3-5p

2nd Design Mtg.

Block A2, Scenes

TBA

29

finish blocking A2

& review

blocking, 10a-2p

30

WBHS Fall Prod. of The Crucible-October 2007 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

1

Leads 3-5p

catch up day &

review blocking,

scenes TBA

2 FCM 3-5p

Review blocking,

scenes TBA

3 FCM 3-5p

Review blocking,

scenes TBA

Leads 6-8p

review blocking,

scenes TBA

4 FCM 3-5p

Review blocking,

scenes TBA

Leads 6-8p

review blocking,

scenes TBA

5 3rd Design Mtg.

Leads 3-5:30p run

A1, scenes TBA

6 SAT Testing

Leads 12-3p, run

A2, scenes TBA

7

8

Leads 3-5p fix

major problem

areas, scenes TBA

9

FCM 3-5p, run A1

w/ citizens

Leads 6-8p polish

A1 scenes

10

FCM 3-5p, run

group

choreography,

Leads polish A2

scenes

11

FCM, run A2 w/

citizens

Leads 6-8p, polish

remaining prob.

Scenes, TBA

12

Final Design Mtg.

Leads 4-6p,

Polishing, scenes

TBA

13

FCM 10a-12p run

mult. Scenes, TBA

publicity blitz

Leads 1:30-4p

tape promo

14

15

FCM 3-5p

Work various

scenes, TBA

16 Prism Concert

Rehearsal 7-9pm

Leads 3-5p, run

various scenes

TBA

17 Prism Concert

Perf- call 6pm

Leads 3-4:30p

work various

scenes TBA

18

FCM 3-5p

Work various

scenes TBA

Leads 6-8p work

scenes TBA

19

FCM 3-5p Work

various scenes

TBA, Leads 6-8p

work various

scenes TBA

20 Pre-Act

Testing (junior

available after

1:30pm)

FCM 1-4p

Leads 10a-4p

21

22

FCM 3-5:30p, Run

Through Show

Leads 6:30-8:30p,

scenes TBA

23

FCM 3-5:30p, fix

problem areas

Leads 6:30-8:30p

scenes TBA

24

FCM 3-5:30p

Run Act 1

Leads 6:30-8:30p

scenes TBA

25 Early Release

Day (non-drivers

schedule rides)

FCM 3-5:30p

Run Act 2, Leads

6:30-8:30p TBA

26

FCM 3-6p run-

through show

27 STARVING

ARTIST/TECH REH.

FCM 10am-7pm

Please schedule

testing for

another date!

28

29 1st Dress

Rehearsal 2:30-

10pm

30 2nd Dress

Rehearsal 2:30-

10pm

31 Final Dress

Rehearsal

2:30-7pm

WBHS Fall Prod. of The Crucible-November 2007 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

1

OPENING NIGHT

Actor call:

5:30pm

2

2nd Perf.-

maintain focus!

Actor Call 6pm

3

Final Perf.-

Enjoy it!

Actor Call 6pm

ACTOR STRIKE

10:30-11:30pm

4

5 Tech Strike

2:45-5pm,

(Actors highly

encouraged to

attend)

6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30