Raytown High School performs “The Crucible”

The Raytown High School Theatre department will perform Arthur Miller’s The Crucible on February 26, 27, and 28 at the high school.

Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, the play is a dramatic re-enactment of the Salem Witch Trials. The play is based on real events, but is not actual history.  When the play first appeared on stage in 1953, it was intended to be an allegory about the anti-communist Red Scare and Senator Joseph McCarthy’s congressional hearings.

“I was first drawn to this play when I read it in high school and have been brought back to it several times,” Director Katie Kolster said. “It is a well-written drama that presents a moral dilemma.”

Thursday, February 26^th and Friday, February 27^th’s performances begin at 7:00 at the Robert B. Atkins Performing Arts Center, 6109 Blue Ridge Blvd.  Saturday, Feburary 28^th’s performances are at both 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

According to Kolster, the play will have a different feel for the audience.

“It used to be a tradition at Raytown High that every year, one of the plays would be performed ‘in the round,’ meaning that the audience is seated around the stage. This show will revive that tradition. Forcing the action so close to the audience creates an intimate atmosphere and also heightens the emotional content,” Kolster said.

Due to the limited number of seats available, advance ticket purchase is suggested.  Those interested in attending may call the high school at 268-7300 or email kathleen.kolster@raytownschools.org to RSVP.

Braden Best and Hanna Treat will portray John and Elizabeth Proctor, Dykota Sprinkle and Amethyst Moraine will portray Giles and Martha Corey.  Francis Nurse and Rebecca Nurse will be played by Lia Bowne and Hannah Steele, and Tituba and Sarah Good will be played by Raynesha Green and Gi Gi Willett.

Brooke Griggs, Hope Romero, Leigh Ann Beam, Mosha Clyma, Tina Mathis, Grace Givens, and Iliana Miller will portray The Girls.  The People of Salem will be played by Stephen Reynolds, Gabe Sawyer, Jessica Madrid, Jeremiah Paul, and Ashley Dedrickson.

Members of The Court will be portrayed by Zach Kujath, Austin Hardiman, Emeril Hart, Richard Jones, Chris Solomon, and Nathan Holloway.

Zach Thonen is serving as Technical Director and Scenic Designer. Assistant Directors are Emma Drace and Abbie Braly. Stage managers are Leah White, Julianna McCarroll, and Tyler Stanway.  The Fly Rail Operator is Leah White and the Lighting Designer and Board Operator is Hannah Wadleigh.

Costume and Hair and Makeup Design are provided by Demetrius Hampton and Melanie Newton respectively. Elizabeth Kujath is the Sound Designer and Board Operator, and Raheem Fielder-Bey and Amethyst Moraine are the Props Designers.

Vinzent Guthrie and the high school Graphic Design class created the poster for the play, and the box office will be managed by Luther Wright and Kayla Lee.