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  • 1.  The Crucible

    Posted 11-18-2022 14:11
    My kids asked me to look into The Crucible as a possible Spring Show.
    What are the pros and cons of doing this show?
    We just concluded Beehive the 60s Musical, the School Edition.
    We only had 4 guys come out for the show. The rest of the cast were female.
    Did anyone have girls play some of the male roles as men. If so, which ones worked for you.
    Any help would be appreciated.

    Mr. Michael A. Stofko

    Holy Redeemer High School
    English Department Faculty
    Drama Director
    Thespian Troupe #6322 Sponsor


  • 2.  RE: The Crucible

    Posted 11-19-2022 14:28
    I directed this 3 times in high school, and it was a marvelous experience each time.  I had enough males to play the male characters each time, and I increased the number of girls in the bewitched group in court.

    Pro: 
    There are plenty of parts, some with few lines for newcomers.  
    U.S. History teachers cover HCUA and Joseph McCarthy, and many English teachers still teach The Crucible, so you can expect some enthusiastic support from your faculty.
    If you follow the practice of simply using furniture for the sets, you can build most of the furniture you can't find pretty easily.  We used a honey stain on pine, which was really gorgeous against black drapery.    

    Con:
    Danforth has an enormous amount of lines!  Egad!
    Costumes are a major consideration.  Any shirts and knee britches you construct can be used in tons of other shows, but you have to factor in the price of fabric when looking to build skirts and dresses.  Of course, if you have local community theatres or college theatre programs, they might be able to rent to you.

    I do not know if Dramatists has a prohibition on using females to play male roles, but unless it is strictly prohibited, you might consider having girls play male roles as breeches parts--wearing male clothing to indicate gender, but not otherwise trying to look or sound male.  I would certainly consider that an option, were I to direct it again.

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    CJ Breland
    Retired Theatre Arts Educator
    NC
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: The Crucible

    Posted 11-20-2022 10:49
    One of my all-time favorites!  I've directed it twice and I teach it in English class.  You need some VERY strong actors and I would not attempt it unless you have a John Proctor, Hale, and Danforth.  You can do the set simply and probably find costume rentals.  I did not cast any females in the male parts but some of the smaller parts could be played by females with permission I'm sure.  I also added girls and people to the courtroom scene to expand the cast.

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    Laura Russo
    Teacher/Director of Theatre Arts
    Chatham High School
    NJ
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: The Crucible

    Posted 06-23-2023 09:34

    Hey Laura,

    Did you do the full script?  I'm looking for a competition version for middle school.

    Thanks



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    Lisa Gunn-Becker
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    Original Message


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