The Crucible
at Flint Hill School

Reviewed on October 28, 2017

Grace Jenkins
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Solemn faces, placid surroundings, and darkness fill the stage, then screams shatter the silence. "Witchcraft!" cry the neighbors. Flint Hill School's production of "The Crucible" brings tears to the eyes of the audience as the actors recreate the emotional battles of the Salem Witch trials.

In the early 1950's, "The Crucible" was created by renowned playwright Arthur Miller as an allegory for the U.S. government shunning and rejecting communists and questioning citizens. The show first premiered on Broadway in 1953 and has continued being performed to this day. Taking place during the Salem Witch trials, the play follows colonists of Massachusetts as they question one another over their dedication to the church.

The cast of "The Crucible" works jointly to form the heart-wrenching production with beauty and simplicity. The actors bring a window into bleak puritan life and fluidly moved through the scenes. The cast responds to one another's movements, with each member being fully committed to somber eeriness.

John Proctor is a dark character who is difficult to grasp, yet actor Sayeed Akhtar portrays him with maturity and grace. He remains in the respectful tone of the twisted tale throughout, while bringing energy and intrigue. The beautiful, realistic fondness between Proctor and his wife is impeccably shown through Akhtar as well as actress Alexandra Wai. Julianne Cuevo, who portrays the grim Abigail Williams, exhibits immense emotional agony within every scene. The character of Abigail goes through a plethora of trauma and demonic happenings. Cuevo depicts this with every line, movement, and facial expression.

Innocence within this sinister story seems unachievable, but Hannah Khan portrays the youthful Mary Warren with immeasurable emotion that ignites sympathy. Khan delivers sassy teenage remarks one moment, then in the next, shrieks into a bone-chilling break down. Actor George Moacdieh depicts the character Reverend Hale's progression of beliefs so immaculately. Moacdieh's presence in every scene is that of importance simply because of his physicality.

The show presents a variety of ages amongst characters, and the makeup team fulfills this vision through minimalist creations. As the show progresses into somber depths, the cast is transformed into dirt- covered, hollow-faced, reflections of their previous selves.

Flint Hill used creative marketing tactics, such as a promo videos and social media, to promote their production throughout the large school as well as their community.

Flint Hill School's "The Crucible" combined a variety of unique characterizations to create a contentious community and emotional trauma. Every character delivered sentiment to the melancholy story, producing a truly bewitching production.

Will LeHardy
Washington-Lee High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Scattered across the stage are the stark wooden walls of a house, characters dressed in period clothes nervously wondering about the fate of the girl lying still in her bed in the corner of the room. As the scene ends, the lights dim to a low blue, and the characters, both the jury and the suspects in a trial by a community, begin to move the walls and the bed to the create the next scene. This is one example of Flint Hill School's haunting creativity in their production of The Crucible.

Arthur Miller's drama premiered on Broadway in 1953 and is set in the town of Salem, Massachusetts during the infamous Witch Trials of the late 1600s. The protagonist is farmer John Proctor, played by Sayeed Akhtar, who is at the center of a myriad of witchcraft accusations orchestrated by the young Abigail Williams, played by Julianne Cuevo. While the play is a work of historical fiction, Miller's intent was to have The Crucible stand as an allegory for the paranoia and sensationalism of the communist Red Scare occurring in this country at the time the play was written.

Proctor was played with continual energy; Akhtar never dropping character throughout his performance. His development of his character was clear, his use of firm and intense physicality and his choice of selective actions all showing the subtle yet revealing bits of the protagonist that are hidden within Miller's text. Opposite Akhtar was Alexandra Wai in the role of Proctor's wife, Elizabeth. Wai's commitment to portraying a steadfast and dutiful wife was visible; her cold and collected aura was visible in her erect posture, her reserved way of moving across the stage, and her subdued eye contact with her scene partners.

Other standouts in the cast included Cuevo as Abigail and Hannah Khan as Mary Warren, the Proctors' servant. Cuevo's Abigail was a stirring performance, her expressions chilling the audience as she feigned an intricate lie about the town being run to the ground by witchcraft. Khan's Mary Warren showed a significant character arc, her portrayal at once a timid maid, then a bratty wiseacre, and in the end transformed into a girl driven to insanity by accusations of witchcraft.

The Crucible is known to most as a central work in the American canon of drama, the play itself being taught in many high school English curricula across the country. Flint Hill School's production brings the action back to its classic roots while also adding originality to the haunting drama, showing to the audience that a simple spark in a frightened community can create a fire of chaos.

Elizabeth Germain
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

"I'll tell you what's walking in Salem--vengeance is walking is Salem." In Arthur Miller's classic play, The Crucible, vengeance is the name of the game. It all starts after Reverend Parris' daughter falls ills after dancing in the forest and rumors of witchcraft begin to spread. Soon, more than 30 women are accused, including Elizabeth Proctor, wife of John Proctor. The chief accuser is Abigail, the young girl with whom John had an affair, whose true motive is to get Elizabeth executed so she can marry John. The Crucible was written in 1953 when many Americans were being accused of communism, and through a portrayal of events in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, it allegorically points out the danger of McCarthyism. The Crucible has become one of the most well-regarded American dramas, setting a high bar for the performers at Flint Hill School this weekend.

Alexandra Wai played Elizabeth Proctor, the quintessential Puritan wife, with a quiet strength that spoke of the moral integrity of the character. She had a calm coldness about her, evident in her upright posture and solid eye contact, with subtle hints of deep emotion breaking through. She had good chemistry with John Proctor (Sayeed Akhtar), whose meal together was effectively awkward given Elizabeth's knowledge of John's affair. Sayeed Akhtar brought intensity to the character of John Proctor with sudden yelling, such as when he proclaimed "God is dead!" and quiet conviction, such as when he dishonestly confessed to having seen the devil.

George Moacdieh gave an intricate performance as Reverend John Hale, gradually transforming him from the bible-toting accuser of witches to the good Christian struggling to save the lives of the accused. He consistently stayed in character, spoke clearly and with conviction, and had strong vocal variety, demonstrating that urgency can be shown through quiet speech. Zachary Coe as Reverend Samuel Parris kept his fear over the loss of his reputation constantly evident with loud, often panicked, speech. Madeline Moran, as Parris' daughter Betty, committed utterly to the dramatic hysterics of her character. Similarly, Hannah Khan gave a highly emotional performance as Mary Warren. Khan effectively infused her character with a rebellious teenage vibe as she proudly spoke of her important role at the court and slowly melted into a panic as she realized she had wrongly accused others of being witches. The panic shifted to terror as she learned she could not take back her accusations without being hung for witchcraft herself.

The makeup for the show was subtle, giving the illusion of no makeup for historical accuracy, while ensuring the performer's features were defined. Grey hair for the older characters, such as Rebecca Nurse, helped differentiate ages to a degree. Dirt makeup on Elizabeth Proctor toward the end of the show helped illustrate the desperation of her character, as did the bruise makeup on John Proctor's face.The show was well-marketed, using a promo video to get the school interested.

The cast at Flint Hill School performed The Crucible with commitment. The atmosphere of distrust, desperation, and fear created by the cast lingered on after the show, a testament to Miller's message of the danger of vengeance and false accusations.

Helen Sweeney
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

The Salem Witch Trials, the horrific torture and executions of innocent women, seem distant to the 21st century. Yet as one digs further under the twisted blanket of history, it is clear the grappling of inexplicable events is not too far in our past and must be recognized through art. Flint Hill's production of "The Crucible" successfully frightens the audience into wondering: are we enclosed in the very fabric of the trials we condemn?

The playwright Arthur Miller, wrote "The Crucible" as a bold statement concerning McCarthyism, the period of time in 1950's America where Wisconsin senator Joe McCarthy sought communists through a series of investigations and hearings. Miller himself was brought in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee to reveal the 10 names of supposed fellow attendees of a communist writers' meeting. Miller wrote "The Crucible" as a way to express the struggle of the moral question about speaking truth to power as he experienced himself in the 1950's. In the Flint Hill production of "The Crucible," the cast and crew intertwined all aspects of theater to represent the fatal tensions in the late 17th century that remain relevant in America today.

The impressive lighting and sound allowed the actors on stage to thrive in their difficult and serious scenes. Though the blue and yellow hues of the lighting were simple, they perfectly complimented the bone-chilling themes of the production. Likewise, the sound effects created an eerie, nighttime atmosphere, providing the crucial darkness to the play. Flint Hill's tech perfectly created a space for the actors to explore their characters and share them with the audience.

Since "The Crucible" takes place during the Salem Witch trials, the environment of the play must mimic that of late 17th century Massachusetts. The set and costumes transported the audience to the time period. The set entailed separate wooden structures that were moved around to compliment each scene. The wood was put together as to resemble prison bars, symbolizing both the literal and figurative prison accused women were put in by men in power. The natural material used for the set provided a relevant metaphor for today: humanity seems to construct nature as to break down the weak. The costumes further allowed the actors to captivate the audience. The crisp, ironed dresses and bonnets as well as the bell-sleeve, greige cloth accurately represented the Puritans residing in Massachusetts at the time. Through the carefully thought-out clothing, the actors were able to fully embrace their characters.

The character of John Proctor, the protagonist symbolizing Arthur Miller himself, was stoically played by Mohammed "Sayeed" Akbar. Sayeed's furrowed brows and booming voice immediately drew the audience into each and every scene where he appeared. Sayeed also managed an uncanny silence that provided each scene with an emboldened tension. The physicality of the entire cast was undeniably executed without error. The quick footsteps and anticipated movements allowed the audience to sit on the edge of their seats in wonder and appreciation.

Flint Hill not only performed "The Crucible" with dedication, but also with purpose. The production begged the crucial question: is the struggle to blame each other for inexplicable horrors over?

Elizabeth Waldt
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

The devil has come to Salem and no one is safe. Will they lie to protect their lives, or tell the truth to protect their dignity? Either way, this little town in Massachusetts is doomed. Flint Hill School portrays the deterioration of this quaint little town in their production of The Crucible.

Author Arthur Miller wrote the Crucible in the early 1950's, with its first performance debuting in 1953. Although his play is set in the 1600's, Miller saw a 20th century connection to the story of Salem. During this period, Senator Joseph McCarthy lead what was known as, "The Red Scare." In the search to weed out Communists in America, those accused could escape jail time by accusing someone else of Communism. Soon enough, the country was engaged in a wild goose chase for Communists. The first opening of The Crucible was a short run, receiving many negative reviews, but it was later awarded the Tony Award for Best Play. Since then, The Crucible has become a staple in American Literature, being read in theaters, households, and classrooms alike.

In an age where superstition and accusations are everything, John Proctor refuses to give in to paranoia. Portraying Proctor was actor Sayeed Akhtar, who gave a dedicated and meaningful performance. Behind every line, there was a real passion and desire to free himself from the madness of Salem. Acting as his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, was Alexandra Wai. Both Akhtar and Wai brought undeniable chemistry to the stage, making it seem as if they had been married for years. Even without personal microphones, their passionate voices echoed through the auditorium, so the audience never missed a beat.

The Salem Witch Trials would be nothing without the accusers. The malicious leader of the trials, Abigail Williams, was portrayed by Julianne Cuevo. Cuevo remained committed to her role throughout the entire play, even screaming as she pretends to see the devil. Alongside her was actress Hannah Khan playing Mary Warren. Khan remained perfectly in character even when she was not acting, adding details that helped the audience lose themselves in the story. The girls drove the story through their character arcs, making Flint Hill's production of The Crucible all the more immersive.

In addition to the cast, technical elements of The Crucible strengthened the overall production. Hair and makeup head Nixon Kramer was challenged to accurately portray the style of this time period. Through relatively simple makeup and hairstyles, Kramer succeeded in transforming 21st-century actors into simple, Puritan women. In addition, the crew had the task of turning teenagers into older men and women. Through their use of old age makeup and effects, they were able to depict older people in an accurate and believable fashion.

The Crucible is a shocking play showing the Salem Witch Hunt of the 1600's. Flint Hill School's production of The Crucible was a chilling portrayal of such an elusive event. After seeing this performance, you won't know who to trust!

Addison Picardat
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The Salem witch trials were a dark time, filled with paranoia and backstabbing. The small, Puritan town was in a constant state of fear, and it is hard to understand what they were feeling in the midst of the accusations. However, Flint Hill School's production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller made it easy to sympathize with the citizens of Salem.

Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible in the 1950's in a response to McCarthyism, which is the act of making accusations without substantial evidence. The play centers around John and Elizabeth Proctor as they deal with Elizabeth being charged as a witch. Despite the help they receive from their servant, Mary Warren, and Reverend Hale, Elizabeth is found guilty, and John Proctor was also accused and hanged.

Throughout the show, there were some notable student performances. Sayeed Akhtar, who played John Proctor, demonstrated his anger towards the town's behavior, but also managed to keep a calm demeanor when he faced execution. He spoke clearly with every line, and he could be distinctly heard over the shouts from the other townspeople. Alexandra Wai, who played Elizabeth Proctor, also maintained a strong composure throughout the trials. She held it together, even when she was losing her husband, and did not falter when she was wrongly accused.

Other memorable actors include George Moacdieh and Hannah Khan. Moacdieh gave Reverend Hale a commanding personality without having to raise his voice. He was fully committed to the character, and his diction was consistently intelligible. Khan, who played Mary Warren, had a strong story arch and did well in revealing her development. Warren went from accusing others to coming forward with the truth, just to fall back into claiming witchcraft, and Khan made the progression intriguing to the audience. The cast overall made it so the town's thoughts on the trials were nearly transparent. The screams directed at one another made it appear to the audience that they were angry about the accusations.

In order to get their fellow students to come see their show, the marketing team, comprised of Tiam Azab Daftari, Peter Letowt, and Madeline Moran, interviewed the cast about their thoughts on the show. They presented the video of their interviews to the student body, which was an interesting method of advertisement and was well received. During the performances, makeup, done by Nixon Kramer, was appropriate for the time period. Actors who were playing characters of older age were given gray hair coloring, which was even and had a realistic appearance.

While the witch trials are an event far beyond the cast's time, they managed to demonstrate the characters in an accurate way. The Crucible is a difficult show, but Flint Hill put in a good effort and made it enjoyable for the audience.