The Amador Valley Drama Club is gearing up for their fall play, The Crucible, scheduled for November 14th-16th. Known for its diverse annual fall plays, the club performs a wide range of genres, from dramas to musicals.
The Director’s Perspective
“The Crucible is a show that, as an English teacher, I really love, so I knew that there would already be some buy-in from not only other English teachers, but from students who maybe enjoyed reading it in their classes,” said director Hannah Davies.
Exploring Themes in “The Crucible”
The play delves into themes of fear, morality, and politically relevant ideas, giving the production a unique flair.
“The playwright for The Crucible follows iambs, so there’s stressed and unstressed syllables. And a lot of the lines are just way better than I think you realize they are in the English classroom,” said Davies.
Developing Acting Skills
Whether drama students are experienced or new, The Crucible offers opportunities for all to develop their acting skills.
“I have been in drama since 7th grade in middle school, and I took drama classes for three years in high school. In The Crucible, I am Reverend John Hale. I’m most looking forward to the way that Hale reacts to things and his view on the world,” said Colin Gillete (‘25).
Dedicated Rehearsal Time in the Amador Theater
The drama club rehearses two hours every Monday through Thursday. This year, they can practice in the Amador Theater.
“We work typically scene by scene, so we’ll sit down, block a scene out on the stage, and then we’ll run it a couple of times and move on to the next scene,” said Davies.
Promoting the Fall Play
To increase turnout, the club will promote The Crucible through social media and posters around the school.
“You know, at the moment it’s still word of mouth, you know, actors telling friends, but we will have posters posted around the school soon for tickets when they come to sale,” said Robin Fried (‘25).
Building Community Through Theater
Drama fosters connections between viewers and participants through shared stories and collaborative creativity. Whether actors, directors, or audience members, everyone plays a role in creating a shared experience.
“I think [school plays] build that community for those who are in it, but also the people who come to see these shows. Not only are they, you know, they entertain, they’re a little more, you know, brushed up on their media, but it’s also something to know,” said Fried.
