Chardon Students Eagerly Await Fall Play

Kaitlin Ryan

The weekend before the high caloric intake and family time of Thanksgiving, CHS Drama will take on a new challenge by bringing an American classic to life. November 16th through the 19th, The Crucible is coming to Park Auditorium, and both students and staff are awaiting it eagerly.

 

The Crucible(1953),written by Arthur Miller, is based upon the gruesome times of the Salem Witch Trials. Some aspects of this play include stories of young girls and a slave found conjuring spirits in the woods, witchcraft practice, and the dark side of paranoia.

 

“[The Crucible] is darker, and a classic for a reason,” Drama Director Brandon Lichtinger says. In the past, the actors have been used to a more comedic genre for the annual fall play. Lichtinger’s decision to take on the classic was inspired by the success of last spring’s Les Miserables.

 

The lead character of this timeless story is a man named John Proctor. “[John Proctor] has a secret that is haunting him” Lichtinger says. “His secret brings repercussions that causes chaos in the community.”

 

Some students are already familiar with this story, so seeing this play being brought to life by their own classmates will be an experience. CHS Drama vice president Cameron Peters, a senior said, “We read [The Crucible] in English last year, so I think this show will be a hit among students for that reason.” The previously recognized themes of the play will be explored, as well will the visuals.

 

Lichinger hopes the set design for The Crucible will be more “modern and darker.” Peters agrees, adding “I think it would be best if there were dramatic beams of light or an interesting color scheme for the background to make the characters stand out.”

 

Crew coordinator Sarah Eisenhart, senior, encourages people to come see the show. “It is such a fun and interesting story. We will really make it amazing and our own with the costumes, props, stage, and so much more.”

 

For anyone interested in being a part of this production, auditions for the cast are Monday September 11th and Tuesday September 12th; auditions for the crew are Wednesday September 13th. All auditions take place after school in the choir room. Regardless of who you are and what your relationship with theater entails, if you like powerful plays, strong actors, and remarkable sets, do not miss The Crucible. Peters promises “It will be one for the books.”