The drama department recently wrapped up their winter production of “The Crucible”. All four shows had packed crowds to watch the timely piece come to life. Overall, the play was truly phenomenal; the set designs and costumes helped take people back to a historical era, and the performers impeccably embodied their characters. The story centered around the question, “When do lies become the truth?”, as it took place during the Salem Witch Trials where girls were being forced to untruthfully confess to witchcraft. Played by junior Ashley Lopresto, Abigail Wiliams was the driving force in this story, questioning both fictional characters as well as the audience as to whether anyone can really be trusted. Lopresto was able to express the intense emotions of Abigail through her manipulativeness; you could see how Abigail was constantly processing information, spinning the truth, and switching between her different “faces” to achieve her goals. Senior Jason Young and senior Cindy Meyer were also able to capture audience members’ attention, as their characters John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor had chemistry that added a bittersweet, tender aspect to the show. Throughout the performance, they seemed to be at odds with each other, but the way they played their characters showed that there was still an obvious connection between them; it was evident that John and Elizabeth shared a deep love for each other allowing strength to collectively be created between them despite their individual weaknesses. 

Aside from the performers, the visuals created an immersive experience leading the audience to feel like they were actually a part of the story. It was particularly interesting to see the cleverly designed wood frame set structures which gave the audience the appearance that the actors were actually standing in fully functioning buildings, yet allowed theatergoers the ability to clearly see and hear their complete interactions. Another effective aspect of the set design was the use of a fog/mist machine. As the lights shone through the fog, it created a very mystical mood that built suspense and kept the audience wanting more. Arguably, the most compelling set in the play appeared in the final scene; it depicted the silhouette of John Proctor’s hanging and a flash of red light. Viewers were left wondering how Proctor may have felt when he was killed, or what happened after he died; a very sudden and moving finale.

“The Crucible” was incredibly well done and entertaining; giving insight into people’s true intentions and blurring the line between reality and fantasy. All in all, it was a very unique story, well worth watching.