I was first introduced to The Crucible my Junior year as a student at Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Helotes, TX. I was automatically intrigued when my Language Arts teacher told me of the false accusations, hysteria and murders that were intertwined in one of Arthur Miller's most famous works. Every day I would raise my hand in excitement to volunteer to read. "Yes, Kirk, you can read one of the roles..."
I was a moth to a flame! I wanted to read the entire play as quickly as I could with my classmates so I could see what became of John Proctor and Abigail Williams. Years later when I became a teacher, I told myself (and others even though not all of them necessarily asked) that one day I would bring The Crucible back to life. Because I was vocal about my desire to direct this masterpiece, a lot of people have asked me through the years: Why The Crucible?
My answer every time: The Crucible needs to be told because it is a prime example of the Power of Words.
The Crucible is an allegory for McCarthyism. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the government falsely accused several people of being communists. This resulted in a nationwide witch hunt and a lot of innocent lives ruined. Prominent politicians, actors and academics were targeted. Arthur Miller was bothered by what was going on and felt the urge to do something, so he wrote The Crucible. Miller saw the parallel between McCarthyism and the Salem Witch Trials, and used his own Power of Words to write this play. Because of this play and the themes embedded in it, The Crucible is a permanent fixture in the American Theatre canon.
So why now? Why direct The Crucible now?... Why not? The message of The Crucible is a constant reminder of what could happen again. By telling this story over and over, we can avoid what could happen and remember what did happen. We all have a choice every day. Do you use your Power of Words for good...or not? Remember the past.
I never thought in a million years that I would be directing The Crucible during a global pandemic. C'est la vie! Five weeks, several COVID-19 scares, and a few cast reassignments later, we have done it! And, boy, do we have a fantastic production for you! I cannot tell you how insanely proud I am of each and every single person who has worked on this production. The Company of The Crucible consists of forty-six students. Forty-six! These forty-six individuals have given their time, talents, emotions and sweat to this production. They have worked several hours to bring you this work tonight. Enjoy every morsel of it.
This production is dedicated to my parents, William and Jackie Logan, who encouraged me countless times to chase my dreams and never give up. They took me to the theater, encouraged me to move to New York and told me that I would make a terrific Theatre teacher. My cheerleaders! My father passed away August 9, 2020, two months before I started at Brennan, but I know he's looking down proudly watching with all of us, smiling, and so glad to see me as a Bear. This production is also dedicated to my husband Justin Logan for his love, support, ideas and motivation. This production is also dedicated to the many people who have worked tirelessly on this project, whether it was memorizing lines, staining benches or creating cues on the light board. Finally, this production is dedicated to you. It is you who came to the theater tonight. It is you who is giving us your time and the price of admission to a one way ticket to our story. It is you who we do this for. So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride - but don't get too comfortable. There's news that there are witches about.
Welcome to Salem, 1692.
Kirk Logan
