"The Crucible" Audition for the Theater

A local farmer who hates hypocrisy. Nevertheless, he has a hidden sin—his giving in to lust, taking advantage of, and taking part in a continued entanglement with the young Abigail Williams—that proves his downfall. When the hysteria begins, he hesitates to expose Abigail as a fraud because he worries that his secret will be revealed and his good name ruined. (*this character will depict moments of intimacy)

(17 years old, but hoping to cast 18+). 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 smart, manipulative, and vindictive when crossed. Reverend Parris’s niece. (*this character will depict moments of intimacy)

Elizabeth fires Abigail when she discovers that her husband, John, has taken advantage of Abigail and that they continued their “affair”. Elizabeth is supremely virtuous, initially cold – due to the hurt of her husband’s infidelity, but softens as they work toward his redemption.

The minister of Salem’s church; he is very concerned with building his position in the community. He is a paranoid, power-hungry, yet oddly self-pitying figure.

The rigid and stern 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.

A young minister reputed to be an expert on witchcraft. Reverend Hale is called in to Salem to examine Parris’s daughter Betty. His critical mind and intelligence, though initially somewhat naïve, save him from falling into blind fervor. His arrival sets the hysteria in motion, although he later regrets his actions and attempts to save the lives of those accused.

A judge who presides, along with Danforth, over the witch trials. Cold, ignorant and antagonistic, he denies any possible explanation other than witchcraft. Considered the “hanging judge” of the era.

A woman of great character, Rebecca is wise, sensible, upright, and held in tremendous regard by most of the Salem community. Francis Nurse’s wife.

Nurse is a well respected influential man in Salem, often called upon to resolve disputes. Husband of Rebecca Nurse.

(83, but willing to cast younger). A feisty farmer in Salem. His principled, honest refusal to admit to witchcraft leads to his being pressed to death with large stones.

A proud, influential citizen of Salem, Putnam is quick to hold a grudge. He uses the trials to increase his own wealth by accusing people of witchcraft and then buying up their land.

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.

An enslaved woman from Barbados, working in Reverend Parris’s household, who many of the young girls in town are close to. Tituba agrees to perform voodoo at Abigail’s request. (*Barbados accent is a plus.)

(17 years old). The servant in the Proctor household and a member of Abigail’s group. She is a timid girl, easily influenced by those around her, who tries unsuccessfully to expose the hoax and ultimately recants her confession.

(18 years old). A sly, merciless girl. Abigail’s friend.

A girl in Abigail’s group.

Martha’s reading habits lead to her arrest and conviction for witchcraft. Giles Corey’s third wife.

An astute but morally weak man from Salem who acts as the witch trials’ court clerk. This upright friend to most residents of Salem quickly turns on former friends and those accused of witchcraft, handling their arrests.

One of the first to be accused of witchcraft, she is poor and often rejected from society. The ordeal of the trials has affected her to the point of mental instability.

The sympathetic marshal of Salem.

A deputy to the Salem court marshal.