Playwright or Screenwriter: Arthur Miller
Director: Chris Hamby
Compensation: Pay ($100 Stipend)
Audition Dates: Thursday, July 25, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, July 27, 9am-1pm
Callback Dates/Times: August 13 & 14, 6pm-10pm
Rehearsals Begin: August 26, 2019
Performance Dates: October 11, 2019 – October 27, 2019
Arthur Miller’s masterpiece centers around a farmer, his wife and a young servant girl, all three of which are dangerously intertwined in a story of deceit, jealousy and hostility. How far can a young girl’s word go in the court of law? Winner of the 1953 Tony Awards for Best Play, this exciting drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is both a gripping historical play and a timely parable of out contemporary society.
Character Breakdown
REVEREND PARRIS – The minister of Salem. A former merchant, obsessed with his reputation, frequently complains that the village does not pay him enough earning him a great deal of scorn. When the trials begin, he is appointed as a prosecutor and helps convict the majority of those accused of witchcraft.
BETTY PARRIS – The ten-year-old daughter of Samuel Parris and one of the primary accusers.
TITUBA – The Parris family slave. Using her knowledge of herbs and magic, she has been secretly helping Abigail and her friends make love potions.
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS – The main antagonist of the play. Abigail previously worked as a maid for Elizabeth Proctor. After Elizabeth suspected Abigail of having an illicit relationship with John Proctor, Williams was fired and disgraced. Using her status as Parris’s niece to her advantage, she accuses countless citizens of witchcraft, becoming one of the most powerful people in Salem. Eventually, she flees Salem with her uncle’s fortune rather than face the consequences of her actions.
SUSANNA WALCOTT – A servant girl and part of Abigail’s inner circle.
ANN PUTMAN – A rich and well-connected member of Salem’s elite. She has one daughter, Ruth, but has lost seven other children to illness. Believing witches to be responsible, she eagerly sides with Abigail.
THOMAS PUTMAN – One of the richest men in Salem. He is greedy and conniving, using the accusations as cover to purchase land seized from convicted witches.
MERCY LEWIS – Another primary accuser.
MARY WARREN – The Proctor family’s servant. She initially helps John, but later turns on him to save herself.
JOHN PROCTOR – The play’s protagonist and husband of Elizabeth Proctor. A local farmer known for his independence and temper, which often gets him into trouble with the authorities.
REBECCA NURSE – an elderly, respected member of the community, sentenced to death on charges of witchcraft.
GILES COREY – A close friend of Proctor’s. He becomes convinced that the trials are being used to steal land from the guilty and presents evidence to prove his claim. When the court demands to know where he obtained it, he refuses to cooperate and is sentenced to be pressed to death.
REVEREND JOHN HALE – A young minister known for his knowledge of witchcraft.
ELIZABETH PROCTOR – John’s wife. She is also accused of witchcraft, but is spared the death penalty due to being pregnant.
FRANCIS NURSE – husband of Rebecca; a sweet, elderly man.
EZEKIEL CHEEVER – The clerk of Salem’s General Court.
MARSHAL HERRICK – Herrick is the town marshal of Salem, and leads the effort to find and arrest those accused of witchcraft.
JUDGE HATHORNE – One of the two judges presiding over the court.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR DANFORTH – The chief judge of the court. He views the proceedings as an opportunity to cement his power and influence, eagerly convicting anyone brought before him. His refusal to suspend the trials even as they tear Salem apart makes him, according to Miller, the true villain of the play.
SARAH GOOD – A mentally unstable homeless lady whom Abigail accuses of witchcraft.
What To Prepare
Please prepare a 1-2 minute dramatic classical monologue (No Shakespeare).
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Draft Rehearsal calendar and additional information available on the Sign Up Genius link.
Audition Contact: Chris Hamby - 623 815-1791 -
chamby@theaterworks.org
