By Pen Chance '15, Augusta, Ga.
Catawba College's Theatre Department will close its 2012-2013 season with Arthur Miller's chilling classic, "The Crucible." The production runs April 9-10 at 6:55 p.m., and April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. in Hedrick Theatre on campus.
The stage is set in late 1600s, Salem, Massachusetts, as something evil winds its way into a small village. Rumors of witchcraft run amok and young girls fall ill to unknown causes. One girl in particular uses these rumors to her advantage by framing a young farmer's wife for witchcraft, sending the community into an uproar.
Critically acclaimed and award-winning playwright and essayist, Arthur Miller, tells the story of New England's infamous Salem Witch Trials using powerful language and potent characters in his moving drama.
Catawba College professor and novelist, Dr. Kurt Corriher, directs the play and says of it: "The Crucible" is certainly one of the playwright's best. It's always topical because we must always battle the human tendency to ignore the dictates of reason and yield to fanaticism, a state of mind that invariably leads to great suffering and injustice. At the same time, as Miller shows us, the struggle against fanaticism also often demonstrates man's opposite nature as well, namely our capacity for courage and nobility of mind in the face of such injustices."
Corriher also has some personal reasons for wanting to be involved in another of Miller's plays. "I've long felt that Arthur Miller is the master of American playwrights," he explained. "I directed "All of My Sons" some years ago for the St. Thomas Players, and I played Willy Loman in Miller's "Death of a Salesman" as a guest artist at Catawba in 2001, so I've been looking for the opportunity to participate in another Miller production."
Other members of the Theatre Arts faculty make up the design team for the production, including David Pulliam on the set; Erin Dougherty, costumes; and Christopher Zink, lighting.
Students Lara Williams, a sophomore from West Palm Beach, Fla., hair and makeup design; Gyo Gamble, a junior from Concord, sound design; Jerry Archer, a junior from Candler, stage management; and Hannah Lee, a junior from Fuquay Varina, assistant stage manager.
The cast consists of seniors Sydney Berk of Encino, Calif.; Katie Carpenter of Hickory; Dominique Clarke of Kannapolis; Leana Guzman of Charlotte; Sean Henderson of Concord; Katie Hopkins of Albemarle; and Collette Riddle of Roanoke, Va.; juniors Ryan Kelly of High Point, and Jacquelyn Loy of Burlington; sophomores Pen Chance of Augusta, Ga.; Eric English of Hendersonville; Matthew Ensley of Concord; Emily Olszweski of Erie, Pa.; Ashley O'Donnell of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Shannon O'Donnell of Land O'Lakes, Fla.; Ruby Osorio of Hickory; and Dillon Reid of Mocksville; and freshmen George Glass of Concord; Cody Mangum of Concord; and Brandon Walls of Worton, Md. Rounding out the cast is local guest artist and Catawba Theatre Arts adjunct faculty member, Craig Kolkebeck as Deputy-Governor Danforth.
"The Crucible" is suitable for young adults. Tickets for it are $10 general admission and $8 non-Catawba students and senior citizens, with group discounts available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.catawba.edu/theatretix or at the box office on the nights of the performance. For more details, call the Catawba College Theatre Box Office at (704) 637-4481.
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