Director Joseph Watts
Back Alley is seeking local actors and actresses to bring to life Arthur Miller’s cautionary tale of witch hunts, “The Crucible.” Auditions are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 11, and Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 6-10 p.m. at the Mars Theatre, 117 N. Chattanooga St. in LaFayette.
“The Crucible” examines the unjust Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 1690s. Mr. Miller wrote the play as an allegory for the “Red Scare,” or McCarthyism, in the 1950s when the United States government began ostracizing people for any association with communists, including Mr. Miller himself.
The cast calls for 10 men, five women and five younger women. The main characters are John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Abigail Williams, Mary Warren, Rev. Hale, and Rev. Parris with many more named characters with important roles in the drama. The weekly rehearsal schedule will be determined later, but performances are scheduled for evenings on Nov. 10, 11, 17 and 18 with a matinee on Nov. 19.
“I feel there are so many artistic ways to perform an Arthur Miller play, and Crucible is no different,” Director Joseph Watts said. “It was Miller's response to being accused of being a communist and standing up to the corrupt power grab that was climbing through the government after World War II.”
Auditioners should be prepared to not only read into the script, but read up on the parallels between the era and the script as subject will play heavily in the production.
“Another unique factor that those auditioning should be aware of is that this show will be performing on a transverse plane in a staging style known as Alley Staging,” Mr. Watts added.
Alley Staging means that actors will be performing in the middle of the room on a stage somewhat akin to a catwalk with the audience on opposite sides, as if they were the walls in an alleyway.
“The Crucible is a powerful script and story and deserves powerful actors to perform,” Mr. Watts added. “Be prepared to bring your all and even stretch your dramatic delivery in new ways focusing on movement, voice and interpretations. The show has been a staple in drama and history and I hope to breathe new life into the story.”