Santa Barbara Youth Theatre, led by Artistic Director Deanne Anders, once again demonstrates how they inspire, educate and empower today's youth by providing top quality performing arts experiences. The Winter Drama production draws upon the talented youth in our community, providing them with an educationally enriched experience that culminates in a theatrical production of the highest caliber. The culturally diverse group of actors hails from Santa Barbara's Junior High and High Schools, home schools, and Santa Barbara City College.

   Returning to the stage are the talented Daniel Burke as John Proctor and striking Larissa Story as Elizabeth Proctor. Although known for her experience with the opera, making her dramatic debut is the powerful performer Juliana Ilvento as Abigail Williams, the young woman who accuses Elizabeth Proctor.

   Other members of the cast, and past Santa Barbara Youth Theatre actors, include Beth Anderson (Mary Warren), Scott Johnson (Rev. Hale), Caitlin Larsen (Rebecca Nurse), Andy Roehm (Giles Corey), and Adam Trent (Thomas Putnam), to name a few.

   New to Santa Barbara Youth Theatre are Stephen Cheng as the arrogant Rev. Samuel Parris, Travis Nefores and Shaun Hart as Deputy Governor Danforth and Judge Hathorne, and Rayshell Curtiss as Tituba.

   Join twenty-six of the brightest talents in the community as they transport you to another time, another era. Experience the force of belief and see how the abuse of power, in any era, can ignite the human spirit to overcome mass hysteria.

memorial in present-day Salem

The Cast:

	Reverend Samuel Parris (Stephen Cheng): Minister in Salem. He believes a faction plans to force him from his pulpit in Salem, so he attempts to strengthen his authority through the witch trial proceedings. Abigail Williams (Juliana Ilvento): Parris’ niece. She instigates the witch trials by falsely accusing others of witchcraft. She pretends to see spirits and instructs the other girls to pretend as well. She is out to destroy Elizabeth Procter with hopes of being with her husband, John. Mary Warren (Beth Anderson): Servant to the Proctors. She goes along with Abigail and the girls by falsely accusing others of witchcraft; however, she later admits she was lying. John Proctor (Daniel Burke): Salem Farmer. He openly denounces Rev. Parris, and does not attend church. He has transgressed in his marriage with Abigail, but has reformed and confessed his transgression to his wife. Elizabeth Proctor (Larissa Story): Wife of John Proctor. She is a decent and honest woman, who dismissed Abigail after learning of her husband’s entanglement with the servant. She has been sickly after the birth of her third son. Reverend Hale (Scott Johnson): Minister in Beverly. He is summoned to Salem to investigate Betty’s condition and determine if witchcraft is responsible. He supports the trials, but later realizes the deceit involved. Deputy Governor Danforth (Travis Nefores): A special judge serving in the Salem court during the witch trials. He signs the death sentences for those individuals who refuse to confess their involvement with the devil. He refuses to delay any execution for fear of appearing weak. Betty Parris (Madeline Perez): Parris’ daughter. Her father discovers her dancing in the woods. Tituba (Rayshell Curtiss): Parris’ slave from Barbados. Parris discovers her casting spells and making potions with the girls. Mercy Lewis (Maureen Wiley): Servant to the Putnams and friend to Abigail. She participates in the witch trials. Mrs. Ann Putnam (Jennifer Leer): Wife of Thomas Putnam.. Her jealousy leads her to accuse Goody Nurse of being a witch. Thomas Putnam (Adam Trent): A greedy landowner in Salem. He systematically accuses neighbors so that he might purchase their lands. Rebecca Nurse (Caitlin Larsen): Wife of Francis Nurse. Known for her kindness and charity. Accused by Mrs. Putnam of witchcraft. Francis Nurse (Dane Svenningsen): Farmer and landowner respected in Salem. Susanna Wolcott (Hannah Elliot): Friend to Abigail. She also falsely accuses others in the trials. Giles Corey (Andy Roehm): Elderly inhabitant of Salem. Challenges to court in an attempt to defend his falsely accused wife. Sarah Good (Linsay Sawzak): Beggar in Salem. She is the first to be accused of witchcraft.
	Judge Hathorne (Shaun Hart): A judge in the Salem court. Ezekial Cheever (Kenny Meza) and John Williard (Gabe Gordon-Harper): Appointed by the court to assist in arresting the accused. Elizabeth Booth (Heather Lewis) Sarah Churchill (Hailey Nielsen) Margaret Rule (Linsay Sawzak) Rose Foster (Maude Kusserow) Ruth Putnam (Claire Gordon-Harper) Betty Hubbard (Laura Thompson) Martha Goodwin (Lauren Parsons) Photos from the Production

memorial in present-day Salem

Dramaturgy for THE CRUCIBLE explored the Salem witch trials of 1692. According to playwright Miller, "The witch-hunt was not, however, a mere repression. It was also a long overdue opportunity for everyone so inclined to express publicly his guilt and sins, under the cover of accusations against the victims." One could speak things one could not ordinarily speak in public. One could express long held hatreds towards their neighbors, and vengeance could be taken.

The historical and psychological richness of THE CRUCIBLE has fed into the performers artistic process. Rayshell Curtiss, who plays the role of Tituba, is experiencing how challenging it can be to "develop a character while learning an accent and being true to both." Mr. Burke (John Proctor) stated that he has done "more psychological work on this production than my previous roles due to the complexity of the era and Arthur Miller's material."

For more background on the play, see Arthur Miller's The Crucible.