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Dialect in The Crucible

  • 1.  Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-06-2022 15:54
    Hi,
    I am wondering if any of you that have directed The Crucible in the United States used specific dialects for different characters.  If so, what dialects?  
    Katie Alley

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    Katie Alley
    Theatre Teacher
    TN
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  • 2.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-07-2022 07:48
    When I directed The Crucible, we tried to present the work in Standard American Dialect with period costumes and a very simple setting.  It is a very effective work for minimalism.

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    Michael Johnson
    Trinity High School
    NC
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-07-2022 10:13
    Michael,
    Thank you for responding!  I agree about keeping things simple.  
    Katie Alley

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    Katie Alley
    Theatre Teacher
    TN
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-07-2022 09:39
    Hi Katie,

    We did the Crucible a few years ago (right before COVID) and we didn't use dialects (we don't have time to work on that given our intense rehearsal schedule). We did do the play word for word, however, and students had to navigate the syntax/language in a way that was unfamiliar to them. Regardless of dialect, the show was a huge hit and the students really got the message of the play as they performed it.

    Best,
    Joan

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    Joan Jubett
    (she/her)
    Director of High School Fall Play and Spring Festival of Plays
    High School Theater Teacher
    LREI
    New York, NY
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-07-2022 10:16
    Joan,
    Thanks for responding!  That's great to hear.  There certainly is dialect written into the script's wording.  I'm excited about directing it this spring.
    Katie

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    Katie Alley
    Theatre Teacher
    TN
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-07-2022 13:35
    Don't get mired in dialects, just have your kids be as clear as possible. The play is hard enough to follow for many without adding another layer of unclarity. Accents can only be really necessary when you have to show differences in people rather than everybody is from the same place.


    Break a leg and may all your theatre seats be filled.


    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-08-2022 09:15
    Thank you, Kelly!!!!



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-08-2022 08:12
    The voices/dialogue in The Crucible are, to me, almost stylized. This is not a society with diverse thinking, so I've never thought that characters should be individuated by their accents. Think The Borg: Resistance is Futile!


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    Jean Klein
    Playwriting Teacher in MFA program, Wilkes University]
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-08-2022 09:09
    Many years ago, I found the original transcripts from the Salem trials. It was immediately clear to me that Arthur Miller had found them also because the style of the speech in the play was a direct echo of the style of speech in the transcripts. If you can find them (I can look through my files to see if I still have them.), they're really worth a read before you direct the show and your students perform it. I think it would really help all get into the feeling and spirit of the play.

    Regards,

    Bob

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    Robert Smith
    VA Co-Chapter Director
    Virginia Thespians
    VA
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-08-2022 09:14
    Bob, I would love to see the transcripts!
    Thank you!
    Katie



    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-08-2022 09:19
    Can't find my original pdf version, but here's a site that has the transcripts. https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/category/swp.html

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    Robert Smith
    VA Co-Chapter Director
    Virginia Thespians
    VA
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-08-2022 12:16
    Thank you!!!



    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Dialect in The Crucible

    Posted 11-09-2022 22:45
    Katie,

    I agree with what everyone has said about just having really clear diction.  The language is weird to the ear, but so wonderful at putting the audience into the place and time of the action.

    We found those original documents when we were rehearsing The Crucible the last time I directed it.  We used those historical documents for making props in the show, such as the lists of people referred to and the warrant for Elizabeth Proctor's arrest.  

    I hope your English teachers are excited about your upcoming performances!


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    CJ Breland
    Retired Theatre Arts Educator
    NC
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    Original Message


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