The Salem Witch Trials Come Alive on the Upper School Stage
Anyone who has studied American history–indeed anyone who has studied it in Massachusetts–knows about the infamous Salem Witch Trials in the late 1600s. This year’s Upper School play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, presents a dramatized and fictional portrayal of one of the most well-known moments in colonial times.
Written in 1953, the height of the “Red Scare,” where Americans accused each other of associating with communists, to avoid throwing suspicion on themselves and imprisonment. This adaptation of The Crucible featured the first half of the play set in 1692, with traditional garments and characters such as Elizabeth and John Proctor (Hailey Jiang ’26 and Matthias Paulson ’26), Reverend Hale (Sydney Lahens ’28), Abigail Williams (Alexandra Nassikas ’26), and Reverend Samuel Parris (Salar Sekhavat ’26). The first act examines the role of religion in shaping society, particularly its use in controlling women. The second half featured more modern garments, echoing the time period in which Miller wrote the play.
Regardless of the attire, the story follows widespread hysteria and accusations of witchcraft in a small Puritan community, ousting long-kept secrets and costing many innocent men and women their lives. The entire second act features fanatical judges, such as Danforth (Alec Bailey ’26), grilling the accused witches and witnesses, including Mary Warren (Ellis Wee ’27). With a cast comprising many students new to the theater, the entire ensemble delivered a riveting performance, encapsulating the fear, betrayal, and community found during times of hatred and hysteria.
Together, the cast, crew, and directing team recreated a tale from long ago that audience members could still relate to today. Thank you to the director Ross MacDonald, costume designer Louise Brown, set and sound designer Adam Howarth, and stage manager Kalkidan Shiferaw ’28 for making this play a reality.
