This past weekend, the Liberty Lightning Theater put on a production of “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. Students spent months preparing for the show together, and the success of the production was a testament to the student’s hard work and preparation.
“The Crucible” takes place during the Salem witch trials of 1692 and follows the story of multiple characters as they navigate their way through the uncertainty in this period of time.
After a group of girls get caught dancing in the forest at night, a witch hunt begins. Abigail Williams, played by Savannah Page, 11, is determined to not get accused of witchcraft. Seeking revenge on John Proctor, played by Tyler Dehart, 11, she accuses Proctor’s wife of witchcraft, out of jealousy after her recent affair with him.
The rest of the play is filled with false accusations, paranoia and misinformation. Many are wrongfully convicted of witchcraft and sentenced to death. Eventually, Proctor is condemned. In the end, Proctor chooses to die rather than falsely confess to witchcraft, preserving his integrity in the face of a corrupt system.
With a challenging dialect and almost three hours of constant dialogue, the Liberty student actors put on an impressive show. Some notable performances came from Ivy Reske, 12, playing Elizabeth Proctor, Toby Schoon, 11, playing Deputy-Governor Danforth and Mary Warren, played by Andi Cetta, 12.
Behind the scenes, the Liberty Technical Theater Department set the show up for success. The minimal set provided the perfect backdrop to focus on the actors’ performances and the emotion of the play. With an emphasis on sustainability, most of the lumber used was reclaimed wood donated by the Johnson County Conservation Department.
While the story is set in the late 1600s, it can speak to modern-day issues. In an age of polarized politics, misinformation and modern media, the play’s depiction of mass hysteria and the power of false accusations feels incredibly relevant.
In the end, the play calls on us, as audience members, to question authority and power. Through the lens of “The Crucible”, the audience can explore pressing issues facing society today.
