West Aurora High School To Stage Story Of Salem Witch Trials This Winter

AURORA, IL — West Aurora High School thespians will stage the classic drama "The Crucible" for its winter play Jan. 15-17.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the school auditorium, 1201 W. New York St.

A cast of 25 students will stage Arthur Miller's 1953 play, which dramatizes the partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place from 1692-1693 in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Sherry Becker, an English teacher and theater director, will direct the play.

Exploring themes of truth, community and justice, the two-act production will tell the story of farmer John Proctor; his wife, Elizabeth; and their former servant, the 17-year-old Abigail Williams. Elizabeth fires Abigail after learning John had been having an affair with her. Months later, the heartbroken teenager uses accusations of witchcraft to enact her revenge.

These students are participating in the production:

• Tyler Pearch as John Proctor
• Itzel Figueroa as Elizabeth Proctor
• Sage Contaldo as Abigail Williams
• Lucas Van Lear as Reverend Samuel Parris
• Quincy Ivory as Reverend John Hale
• Xi Kanhai-Ammann as Mary Warren
• Lincoln Chan as Ezekiel Cheever
• Nate Kettley as Giles Corey
• Charlie Popplewell as Francis Nurse
• Ainsley Jones as Ann Putnam
• Jackson Authur as Thomas Putnam
• Carricia Munoz-Green as Tituba
• Michael Weinert as Deputy Governor Danforth
• Owen Pagett as Judge Hathorne
• Abigail Spadaro as Rebecca Nurse
• Angel Valencia as Marshal Willard
• Leilani Madrigal as Betty Parris
• Ariana Purl as Mercy Lewis
• Evelyn Renz as Susanna Wallcott
• Samantha Garcia as Sarah Good
• Luke Banks as Hopkins
• Village girls: Micah Guzman, Maria Paris, Evie Ramirez and Flor Zarco Hernandez
• Student directors: Leilani Favela and Pearla Orrala

Tickets to the show cost $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Concessions will be available for sale.