Directed by: Christine Walsh

Plot Overview: [The play is in four Acts with an intermission between Act II and Act III.] Set in the New England town of Salem, Massachusetts the plot is based around the events which occurred during the Salem Witch trials in 1692.When a group of girls goes dancing naked in the forest with a black slave named Tituba, they are caught by the local minister, Reverend Parris. The following day, two of the girls fall into a coma-like state and rumors of witchcraft fill the town. The girls’ desperate attempt to conceal their secrets and behavior in the forest by pointing their fingers at others spirals out of control as hundreds of townsfolk suddenly find themselves accused of witchcraft by these girls, led by the conniving and manipulative Abigail Williams. As the plot unfolds, we see that those who are convicted of witchcraft are chosen for reasons other than actual witchcraft, such as land disputes and adultery. Numerous citizens, many of whom are virtuous Christians, find themselves in the terrible situation of being forced to lie and confess to witchcraft, or else be hanged.

Character List - 11 Men/11 Women

John Proctor – (Age 30 - 45) A local farmer who lives just outside town; Elizabeth Proctor's husband. He’s a logical, practical and hard-working man. Prior to the actions in the play, he has had an affair with Abigail Williams, so he is one of the few who know her true nature as liar and morally corrupt girl. He tries to keep it a secret for fear of losing his reputation until his Abigail accuses his wife of witchcraft.

Abigail Williams – (Age 17) Reverend Parris's niece. Abigail was once the servant for the Proctor household, but Elizabeth Proctor fired her after she discovered that Abigail was having an affair with her husband, John Proctor. Abigail is intelligent, manipulative, and a liar.

Reverend John Hale – (Age 20 - 45) A young minister who is considered to be an expert on witchcraft by the province. He’s called in to Salem to examine Parris's daughter Betty. His arrival sets the hysteria in motion, although he later regrets his actions and attempts to save the lives of those accused.

Elizabeth Proctor – (Age 30 - 45) John Proctor's wife. Elizabeth fired Abigail when she discovered that her husband was having an affair with Abigail. Elizabeth is a devout Christian and pure of heart, but often cold.

Reverend Parris – (Age 40 +) The minister of Salem's church. Reverend Parris is a paranoid, power-hungry, greedy, and a self-pitying figure. Many of the townsfolk, especially John Proctor, dislike him, and Parris is very concerned that he will lose his position in the community.

Rebecca Nurse – (Age 80) Rebecca is a wise, sensible, and upright woman, held in tremendous regard by most of the Salem community. However, she falls victim to the hysteria when the Putnam’s accuse her of witchcraft out of jealousy and greed. She refuses to confess and is hanged.

Francis Nurse – (Age 80) Rebecca Nurse’s husband and a wealthy, influential man in Salem. Nurse is well respected by most people in Salem, but is an enemy of Thomas Putnam and his wife.

Deputy Governor Danforth – (Age 40 +) The Deputy Governor of Massachusetts and the presiding judge at the witch trials. Honest and scrupulous, at least in his own mind, Danforth is convinced that he is doing right in rooting out witchcraft. However, when it becomes apparent that he and the court have been deceived by Abigail and the other girls, he allows his pride to rule his judgment regarding the fate of the accused.

Giles Corey – (Age 80) An elderly but feisty farmer in Salem, famous for his tendency to file lawsuits. Giles's wife, Martha, is accused of witchcraft, and he himself is eventually held in contempt of court and pressed to death with large stones.

Thomas Putnam - (Age 40 +) A wealthy, influential citizen of Salem, Putnam holds a grudge against Francis Nurse for preventing Putnam's brother-in-law from being elected to the office of minister. He uses the witch trials to increase his own wealth by accusing people of witchcraft and then buying up their land.

Ann Putnam – (Age 40 +) - Thomas Putnam's wife. Ann Putnam has given birth to eight children, but only Ruth Putnam survived. The other seven died before they were a day old, and Ann is convinced that they were murdered by supernatural means.

Tituba - (Age 20 +) Reverend Parris's black slave from Barbados. Tituba agrees to perform voodoo at Abigail's request. Requires dialect.

Sarah Good – (Age 30 +) Sarah Good is the town beggar and is a bit insane. She is one of the first accused of witchcraft.

Mary Warren – (Age 15 - 20) The servant in John Proctor's household and a member of Abigail's group of girls. She is a timid girl, easily influenced by those around her.

Betty Parris – (Age 12 -20) Reverend Parris's ten-year-old daughter. Betty falls into a strange stupor after Parris catches her and the other girls dancing in the forest with Tituba. Her illness and that of Ruth Putnam fuel the first rumors of witchcraft.

Mercy Lewis – (Age 15 - 20) The servant in Thomas Putnam's household. Mercy belongs to Abigail's group of girls.

Susanna Walcott – (Age 15-20) The servant of Doctor Griggs and member of Abigail’s group of girls.

Ezekiel Cheever – (Age 30 +) A man from Salem who acts as clerk of the court during the witch trials. He is upright and determined to do his duty for justice.

Judge Hathorne – (Age 30 +) A judge who presides, along with Danforth, over the witch trials.

Herrick – (Age 30 +) The marshal of Salem.

Hopkins – (Age 18 +) Jail guard. Single line, and can be played by a crew member.

Guards – (Any Age) Several guards are required in Act II and do not have any lines. These can be played by crew members.

Voice of Martha Corey – (Age 40 +) Giles Corey's third wife. Martha's reading habits lead to her arrest and conviction for witchcraft.

This story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife and a young servant girl who maliciously causes the wife's arrest for witchcraft.  The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie - and it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is terrifyingly depicted.  The farmer instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others.