Richfield High School - Aurean Yearbook (Richfield, MN)

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Student Lounge Lends Intimate Setting for The Crucible A combination of realistic costuming and brilliant acting brought alive the horror and terror of the Salem witchtrials to Richfield students as a cast of 20 performed Arthur Miller's “The Crucible. Forced to relocate the play because of the remodeling of the auditorium, the director and producer Lee Dudycha commented that “The student lounge provided a perfect setting with the right touch of intimacy for such a play as “The Crucible . His comments proved to be true as effective lighting transformed the lounge into the blackness of Salem, 1692. Greyed hair and wrinkled faces were obtained by skillful use of make up to transform RHS students into characters that served as historical models of that time period. Strong acting performances highlighted the two act play. The actors and actresses had received unusual insights into their roles beforehand as they had seen the Guthrie production of “The Crucible and had had a chance to talk to the actors themselves. The result was evident. The piercing screams of the girls who “saw the devil in their neighbors and the terrified denials of the accused sent shivers through packed audiences. With the final scene showing the tragic fate of the inhabitants of Salem, audiences slowly moved home, shaken and stirred by the powerful impact of the 1974 fall play. TOP LEFT: Mike Scott (Rev. Parris) laments over the illness of his daughter Lisa Rindel (Betty Parris). MIDDLE LEFT: Mark Holt (Danforth) questions Tom Countryman (John Proctor) on the legitimacy of Julie Ackerman's (Mary Warren) confession. BOTTOM LEFT: Peter McKenna (Giles Corey) confronts the court in defense of his wife. TOPCENTER: Julie Ackerman (Mary Warren) is torn by the accusations she has brought against the other girls. UPPER CENTER: Terry Davis (Tituba) exclaims her innocence with Tom Niemackl (Rev. John Hale) by her side. MIDDLE CENTER: Tom Niemackl (Rev. Hale) informs Sue Rodseth (Elizabeth Proctor) of her indictment while her husband Tom Countryman (John Proctor) displays his disbelief of the charge. LOWER CENTER: Tom Niemackl (Rev. Hale) explains the fearful situation in Salem to Tom Countryman (John Proctor). BOTTOM CENTER: Tom Countryman (John Proctor) and Sue Rodseth (Elizabeth Proctor) comfort each other before their final parting. TOP RIGHT: Peter McKenna (Giles Corey) tries to attack Steve Stewart (Thomas Putnam) but is held back by Tim Smith (Francis Nurse). „ MIDDLE RIGHT: Tom Niemackl (Rev. Hale) pleads with Sue Rodseth (Elizabeth Proctor) to save her husband's life by having him confess his sins . BOTTOM RIGHT: Kris Hanson (Abigal Williams) urges Lisa Rindel (Betty Parris) to wake while Mike Scott (Rev. Parris) consults with Joy Lundell (Susann Wolcott). Fall Play 25