At the heart of The Crucible is the power of fear and how mob mentality, religious fundamentalism and broken justice systems propel that fear forward.
In conjunction with Blackbird Theatre, Lipscomb’s Department of Theatre will present The Crucible Feb. 19-28 in Shamblin Theatre, with performances at 7 p.m. on Thursdays-Saturdays and at 3 p.m. for both Sunday matinees.
“The Crucible has been done many times, but from my research it seems to be done a lot in the same way,” director and department chair Beki Baker said. “We’ve stripped it down more than most productions, allowing for some artistic freedom in design and concept, while keeping it rooted in the Puritan world Miller wrote.”
The show follows the Salem witch trials for 1692. Early Puritan settlers created communities in the new English territories of America, and though they faced harsh living conditions, still managed to turn against one another.
Nineteen fellow settlers were hanged because they were believed to be in communion with the devil – they were believed to be witches.
“This is an incredibly important story to tell at a Christian university — as Christians, this is part of our story, and we can’t deny it,” Baker said. “We must learn from it, question our own actions and beliefs, and endeavor to live our lives worthy of the calling we have received.
“My hope is that in some small ways, I hope we won’t judge Miller’s Puritans, but rather see ourselves in The Crucible‘s story.”
Showing a true partnership between Blackbird and Lipscomb, the 24-member cast features a mix of respected stage actors and aspiring student actors, with sophomore musical theatre major Emily Meinerding playing the lead role of Abigail Williams.
Blackbird is a renowned semi-professional theatre in town, run by two Lipscomb grads and is the department’s Theatre-In-Residence.
When putting the show together, the university provided space, designers, directors, student actors, manpower and materials to make the play, and Blackbird provided Nashville actors, producers and marketing.
“It’s a great blend, and I love working with Wes Driver and Greg Greene,” Baker said. “The students get to work alongside people from the industry, and the seasoned actors get to mentor growing actors, who also pump a lot of energy into the process.”
Lipscomb students Sarah Johnson, Bekah Stogner, Sarah Zanotti, Ann-Marie Bagge, Allison Kalfas, Virouna Elia, Mary Elizabeth Roberts, Olivia Mell and Morgan Bowling add to the cast as well.
Seniors Taylor Wood and Jonah Jackson assist as stage manager and assistant director, respectively, while sophomore Scott Wilson works as the assistant stage manager.
“The actors in this production are incredible,” Baker said. “Both the Nashville professionals and the Lipscomb University students have worked together to learn in-depth about the culture and period of the play so that they can best represent the world of the characters.”
Opening night for the show is Friday Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
Chapel credit opportunities for students are available after a talk-back following the Feb. 21, 25, and 28 showing.
Each talk-back will discuss in-depth how and why The Crucible connects with the audience in the 21st century and as Christians in attendance.
“It’s important for us to think about how fear pushes our own actions, and how we dispense fear to the world around us, even in small ways,” Baker said. “In these ways, this play is much more than a historical drama.”
Tickets cost $17 for individuals, $12 for university faculty, staff and alumni and are $5 for students.
Free student tickets are available for pick-up in the student center this week and next.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Department of Theatre and Blackbird Theatre