The Crucible

By Arthur Miller

Presented by Starkville Community Theatre
Mississippi State University Department of Communication & Blackfriars Drama Society

Directed by Jeffery Elwell
February 27, 28, and 29, 1992
McComas Hall Theatre

Featuring – Jennifer Baugher, S. Joe Brockway, Krista D. Burchfield, Kristy Brumfield, Rock Chasse, Molly Jo Burns, Shawn M. Dulaney, Lucy Fullen, Joey Hall, Chris L. Harrelson, Mick Hintz, John Howell, Lakshmi Kothaneth, Ryan Lamar, Wendy K. Leigh, Audra L. Moore, James Christopher Reed, Melanie Rogers, Shelly Rushing, Britton Snow, Joe M. Turner, and Karin D. Whitehead

In 1692, 14 women and five men were hanged in Salem as witches. Statements were made than Satan had been seen talking to some of the women and men were made by adolescent girls and their testimony was taken as fact. Those accused who did not confess to working with the Devil were convicted, imprisoned and, on occasion, killed. Ultimately, the governor of Massachusetts stepped in and put an end to the trials.

Farmer John Proctor is accused of witchcraft in the play. He takes the occasion to examine him and acknowledge his faults, unlike his accusers. He also withstands the attempts by prosecutor Danforth to exploit him and, refusing to sign a false confession, he is hanged. John death affirms the values by which he stood, not the values of the time that condemned him.

While espousing purity and godliness, the Puritans of Salem were a political group with the same leanings toward power and weaknesses that affect other people. They were unable to keep these in check at the time of the witch-hunt.

Click to read the program from The Crucible.

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