The Crucible Study Guide
Student Ma nee: Thursday, April 26, 2012
9:00 a.m.
Photo courtesy of Opera San José
Hosted by The Crucible Alberta Bair Theater Department of Education and Outreach Stage Direc on by Ma by Robert Ward Haney Dr. William Mouat based on the play by Arthur Miller. Program Director Musical Direc on by Recommended for Students in Grades 6-12 Lisa Barbara Day Turner The duration of Acts I and II is 57 minutes. DuBeau School Show Coordinator The audience is invited for the entire performance Executive Office: (406) 256-8915
Opera shouldn’t be scary or intimidating – it’s the most exciting combination of singing, orchestral mu- sic, chorus work, theatrical stagecraft, costuming and dance on the planet! Opera is the culmination of all the great performing arts and must be experienced to be believed! Opera is:
Entertaining. Unforgettable singing, sweeping orchestral interludes, and genuinely touching performances spell enter- tainment with a capital “E.” Opera is not musical spinach. It’s genuine “Soul-Food,” filling and utterly delicious – but without the carbs!
Riveting. Opera is the story of us, and what could be more interesting? Real people – highborn and low – contend- ing with real-life problems and situations or sharing their exhilarating highs. Opera tackles it all with tre- mendous gusto. Boredom is not an option.
Awesome. Entertainment choices can stimulate your eye, ear, or mind. Others are made to lift your spirit and a few are capable of inspiring your most heartfelt emotions. Only one does it all. An unforgettable night at the opera will always rank as one of the greatest experiences a roomful of people can share. (Dallas Opera)
Lucinda Butler President, Board of Directors, Rimrock Opera Douglas Nagel Artistic Director, Rimrock Opera
The Crucible
Salem - Aprill 4, 1692
“There Being Complaint this day made (before us) by Capt Jonat Walcott, and Lt Natheniell Ingersull both of Salem Village, in Behalfe of theire Majesties for them- selfes and also for severall of their neighbours Against Sa- rah Cloyce the wife of peter Cloyce of Salem Village; and Elizabeth Proctor the wife of John Proctor of Salem “
-Salem Witch Trials Rimrock Opera’s Cast and Crew for this production: Cast Michelle Berger, mezzo-soprano, Tituba; from Billings, MT Brock Boender, baritone, Francis Nurse+ ; from Huntley, MT Carolyn Coefield, soprano, Mary Warren; from Billings, MT Nancy Downing, contralto, Rebecca Nurse; from Billings, MT Jay Gardner, tenor, Judge Danforth+, from Plano, TX Christie Hageman, soprano, Abigail Williams+; from Billings, MT Daren Small, bass, Reverend Hale; from Billings, MT Kristee Haney, mezzo-soprano, Elizabeth Proctor+; from Kansas City, KS Shirley Herman, soprano, Ann Putnam+; from Billings, MT Travis Kuehn, tenor, Ezekiel Cheever+; from Billings, MT Joshua Lawlor, baritone, John Proctor+; from Kansas City, KS William Mouat, baritone, Thomas Putman; from Billings, MT Robert Norman, tenor, Giles Corey+; from Burbank, CA Travis Archie Richter, tenor, Reverend Samuel Parris+; from Baton Rouge, LA Peter Hall and Keaton Hertz, actors, Proctor children+; from Billings, MT Karlee Adler, mezzo-soprano, Bridgett Booth+; from Broadview, MT Shelby Dangerfield, soprano, Sarah Good+; from Billings, MT Kelly Deiling, soprano, Martha Sheldon+; from Billings, MT Jessica Garibay, mezzo-soprano, Mercy Lewis+; from Billings, MT Janie Rife, mezzo-soprano, Betty Parris; from Billings, MT Paige Sears, mezzo-soprano, Susanna Walcott+; from Billings, MT Hannah Wambolt, Ruth Putnam+; from Billings, MT
Chorus Adult Chorus members: Josh Aaby, Karlee Adler, Kristy Dallas, Shelby Dangerfield, Kelly Deiling, Jessica Garibay, Debra Gloor, Hunter Hash, Daniel Herman, Nicole Jerominski*, Philip Johnson, EmmaRae King*, Jori Lokken,*, Koree MacMurdie, Keli Rae Mitchell*, Randy Rabas, Ashley Reitz*, Janie Rife, Alan Schuyler, Paige Sears, Darci Silbernagel, Allison Smith*, Karla Stricker*, Benarien Swanson-Tomhave, Jacob Troyer, Jane Van Dyk, Kristen Van Luchene, Hannah Wambolt
* = cover artist + = solo artist debut
Rimrock Opera Chorus for Kids members: Hailey Patterson, Sydney Stevens, Veronica Johnson, Ann Morgan, Savannah Harley, Rachel Pennington, Desi Lee, Natalie Brady, Shaina Noble, Erica Noble, Cassidy Ayers, Olivia Tyrell, Kitrie Frank, Elizabeth Johnson, Marileigh Lingby-Cox, Ashley Hanser
The Salem Witch Trials
By Beth Irwin Kane
“The Puritan founders of Salem, Massachusetts were a severe people who firmly believed that Satan’s aim was to destroy God’s kingdom by tempting people to sin. By sin they meant caring more about themselves and their private pleasure and profit than about other people. As Salem prospered, many of her townspeople began to appreciate hedonistic pursuits. Merchants converted Salem into a successful seaport; the more they witnessed the world, the more they thrived. Life was not so easy, however, for the farmers who lived beyond the town in a place called Salem Village. Their land was rocky and hilly, and unlike the townspeople, the villages had no time or money for luxuries. In fact, they still believed that such things were evil and began to suspect the townspeople of abandoning their Puritan ideals.
The real trouble started in 1692, when some of the younger girls in Salem Village began to experiment secretly with magic. The minister’s daughter, his niece, and his servant tried to tell each other’s fortune. In time, more village girls joined them. One made a sort of crystal ball from an egg white suspended in a glass. She said that she hoped to see her future husband. Instead, she saw, or thought she saw, a coffin. She and her friends were terrified. They imagined that they saw all kinds of horrible things in the glass. Some of them developed hysteria and began to suffer convulsive fits. The doctor, along with the other villagers, believed that the girls’ playing with magic had summoned
Satan and his witches into their midst. Frightened adults called the girls the “afflicted chil dren” and urged them to disclose who or what supernatural phenomenon caused their suffering. At last, they admitted they were being tortured by witches. Perhaps some of the girls were afraid of being punished, so they disclosed tthe names of neighbors who were generally disliked.
What happened in Salem in 1692 is one of the more shameful incidents in
American history. While the accused did have many courageous people speak out in their defense, an entire town allowed itself to be swept away by malice, suspicion, and fear.
Although many psychiatrists today might diagnose Salem’s trouble as a case of mass hysteria, it is important to look at the entire picture. The community had been divided for many years by geography, wealth, religion, and life styles; further, it was controlled by a strong and unforgiving religion that was on the verge of decline. Many of the accusers were people who were losing out, and many of those they accused were winning.
Ultimately, this proved to be a fatal combination for the innocents of Salem.” Student Review Form
Student Name ______School ______Grade ____
Name of Performance______
What type of art form did you see onstage? (Theater? Dance? Music? Was there a combi- nation of forms?)
What did you like or dislike about the performance? How did it make you feel? (Energized? Inspired?)
What did you learn from the performance? (Did it spark any new ideas?)
Was there a section of the performance that you particularly liked or disliked? If so, why?
What 4 adjectives would you use to describe the performance or the performers?
Please mail or deliver to: Alberta Bair Theater, Education Dept., 2722 3rd Ave N #200, Billings, MT 59101
Teacher Review Reflec ng with Your Students A er the Show
It is o en a er the show that the real learning begins. You and your class have shared an experience—and it’s in reflec ng on the experience together that you will learn the different kinds of responses the show elicited. Sharing these responses gives students opportuni es to learn about things that they didn’t see or hear. It helps them broaden their percep ons and hone their evalua ve skills, cemen ng what they themselves think.
Name of performance a ended: ______
School name: ______Teacher: ______Grade level: _____
How helpful was the study guide in preparing your students for the performance?
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How helpful was the study guide in giving you classroom ac vi es you could use?
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Please let us know what the impact of the performance was on your students:
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In what ways did the performance connect to the classroom?
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Were you sa sfied with your overall experience at the Alberta Bair Theater?
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What improvements could be made?
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Please mail: Alberta Bair Theater, Educa on Dept., P.O. Box 1556, Billings, MT 59103
or FAX: (406) 256‐5060