News

St. Charles East actors tackle tough subject matter in 'Crucible'

Posted February 18, 2009 10:00 pm

By Crystal Mack Daily Herald correspondent

Sophie Hill as Betty Parris and Jeremy Martens as Rev. Parris during rehearsal of "The Crucible" at St. Charles East High School. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Lessons from the past come back to remind us of gruesome truths of today.

St. Charles East High School presents "The Crucible" this weekend at the Norris Cultural Arts Center. The classic drama about the Salem witch trials shows how quickly fear can spiral out of control.

"Even though the play is set in 1692, it is still relevant to events of today," said director Teresa Bundy. "There are so many lessons to be learned."

Written in the early 1950s, "The Crucible" was conceived as a reaction to McCarthyism. It chronicles the events in colonial Massachusetts that led many to believe that women were engaging in witchcraft.

The drama students, whose usual performance fare had been either comedies or musicals, were looking for more of a challenge. Since they had all read the Arthur Miller work in English class, Bundy thought their familiarity with the material would help ease them in to the difficult subject matter.

"It has not been easy, for me or for them," Bundy noted. "But it's been a great experience. They have all grown as actors."

The students flexed their talents in ways they never had before. Onstage, their acting abilities are challenged with yelling, shaking, and on-cue crying.

"I quickly found out I knew less about acting than I thought I did!" said senior David Hepfer, who plays Reverend John Hale. "It was hard to understand what motivates the characters, when you haven't made the kinds of decisions they have."

Junior Molly Wagner, who plays Mary Warren, agreed.

"When we read the play in English, I thought I knew it all," she said. "But once you take it on stage, there are different interpretations."

The cast had many discussions on how the themes relate to current events such as 9/11 and terrorism.

"This goes on all the time," Hepfer said. "It's so easy to demonize who's different."

"It is definitely a heavy hearted subject matter," said senior Jonathan Escalante, who plays Judge Danforth, "but we've found ways to keep it light."

In between scenes, the students joked with each other to keep up their energy while playing down the intensity. One day they took goofy Polaroid pictures and made a Crucible collage to make each other laugh.

"They have handled the show very maturely, but everybody needs to get the giggles out sometimes," Bundy said.

In rehearsals since late December, the students have put an abundance of effort into the production, and on the Norris Cultural Arts stage, it is hard to remember that the cast is only in high school.

"There is so much talent on the stage," Wagner said. "We work really hard to make it look professional."

"It's an exciting show, full of intrigue," said senior Mac Willaert, who plays John Proctor. "It's like going to see a dramatic movie."

Mac Willeart portrays John Proctor and Ty Warden is Giles Corey during rehearsal of "The Crucible" at St. Charles East High School. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Caitlin Ewald plays Abigail Williams during rehearsal of "The Crucible" at St. Charles East High School. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

From left are Caitlin Ewald as Abigail Williams, Bradley Morrison as Thomas Putnam, Sophie Hill as Betty Parris, Jeremy Martens as Rev. Parris, and David Hepfer as Rev. John Hale during rehearsal of "The Crucible" at St. Charles East High School. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

If you go What: St. Charles East High School's production of "The Crucible" When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 Where: Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. Tickets: $7 for adults and $5 for children; available at the door Info: Call (630) 584-1100

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