Auditions coming soon...and a few thoughts...

Auditions are coming soon.  Check for audition information here.  

Though I did a lot of the historical research on a production of The Crucible while I was in college (yes, that meant pre-internet - remember the library?), the amount of historical information is vast and I am always coming across new gems.  This week, I ran across this interesting tidbit:

I had known previously that Nathaniel Hawthorne, best known as author of The Scarlet Letter, was descended from a Salem witch trials judge who is personified in The Crucible.  I never made the connection until this week that the well-known author had added the "w" to his given name, Hathorne, in order to hid his relation to the only witch trials judge who never repented of his actions.  Of course, I have repeatedly spelled the name of the judge incorrectly in documents, assuming it to be the same surname as The Scarlet Letter author.  

Also, isn't it interesting the consider the importance of alphabetic characters to Nathaniel Hawthorne's legacy?  "A"..."W"...both important!

New Salem State Historic Site has distinct requirements as to when on-site plays should end at Theatre in the Park.  Even if no such requirements were in place, it would be my inclination to make cuts to Miller's text because modern audiences are generally not accustomed to such lengthy non-musical drama.  At the same time, though, as a longtime fan of this text, it pains me to make the cuts!  I am going page by page, employing all kinds of strategies to give the audience and the characters as much of their fair due as I possibly can.  

One thing I am not inclined to cut is humor.  Humor in The Crucible?, you might ask.  Oh yes, there is plenty of humor, though it is not necessarily an aspect that stands up as an appropriate description of the play.  The humor is drawn primarily from the nature of some of the characters and their relationships with each other.  If you haven't experienced some of that humor lately, you might want to give the script a re-read.  In the meantime, enjoy the humor of these Puritan valentines.  

Rehearsal process for The Crucible

What can a person expect from the rehearsal process for The Crucible?

The short answer is that you can expect a thorough, concisely-scheduled process that is actor-focused.

Here's the longer answer:

The Crucible is divided into four acts, with each act comprising only one scene.  For the purposes of rehearsals, it is possible to logically divide each act into smaller scenes based on shifts in the drama and entrances and exits of characters.  A very concise rehearsal schedule will be developed based on actor availability and the logical division of the smaller scenes that I describe above.  This will enable us to more effectively utilize our rehearsal time.  Only John Proctor and Reverend Hale appear in all four acts.

Every theater project is different.  For me, The Crucible is distinctive for being such an emotionally-charged drama, for both the actors and the audience.  As I've continued the process of exploring the script, I've been thinking a lot about making sure the rehearsals will be framed to include both a gathering/coming-together at the beginning of each evening and a brief time of productive reflection at the end.

I believe the play will be best served by utilizing the full talents...body and mind...of all the actors involved, and I intend to craft rehearsals with this in mind.  This does not mean that you should expect a hands-off director who is unprepared; quite the contrary.  The Crucible has been a favorite of mine for a long time now, having served as dramaturg for a production in college and having visited Salem, Massachusetts in the late-90s with the express purpose of visiting the sites related to the witch trials.  For the past five months, I've tried to read an act of the play every day (admittedly, it doesn't happen every day...), taking notes and preparing for the process of auditions and rehearsals, and noting details about production.  But my advance planning, as director, will only be a part of the final product of this classic drama; what each actor breathes into their character will be significant to the process.

The Crucible is based on the Salem witch trials of 1692, when a mass hysteria swept a Puritanical parish and the accusations of young girls, with no hard proof, condemned and ultimately hung 19 members of the community.  The characters in The Crucible are all based on the real people involved in the witch trials, though as is the case with most historical drama (hmmm...like maybe a little recent film named Argo), embellishments add to the drama and the audience investment in the story.

Rehearsals will begin the week of May 13.  The play opens June 28.  We will rehearse both inside and outside at New Salem and at a to-be-named location in Springfield.  Auditions will be held April 6 at Western Oaks Baptist Church, 5345 Old Jacksonville Road in Springfield.  Email or Facebook me to schedule a one-hour audition slot when you can read with other actors.  No advance preparation is required, but familiarity with the play would be helpful.  Walk-ins will also be accepted between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 6.

Carly Shank, Director
carlyshank@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/carlyn.shank