After the success of The Odd Couple and Jesus Christ Superstar, the West theatre department continued their talent with the production of their one act play for University Interscholastic League (UIL) on March 23.

“One act is exactly how it sounds—just one act,” senior Christy Lamka said. “Rather than being two acts with an intermission in between, the play is cut to only last 40 minutes and runs in one sitting.”

In a one act play, there are many rules involved. The production must include only 15 people, be 18 to 40 minutes long, along with other restrictions on set pieces. In addition to these rules and regulations, the play must be on the pre-approved UIL list.

“We’re doing The Crucible,” Lamka said. “It fits within the cast limits and is approved. For one acts, you have to get all these things approved and get the rights straightened out.”

The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller in 1953. It is set in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during the Salem witch trials of 1692 and 1693. Lamka portrays Abigail Williams, the main antagonist of the production. Her character gets involved in many mishaps that include witchcraft and adultery.

“I accuse multiple people of witchcraft all to help better my reputation, as well as lessen that of the wife of the married man I had an affair with,” Lamka said. “Basically, I do anything in my power to fake some type of supernatural presence to get someone to love me.”

The original play caused quite the stir amongst other play writes, the public and even the U.S. government. The Crucible was so shocking that it was adapted into several films in 1957, 1996 and 2014. Lamka watches these adaptations in order to learn her character’s mannerisms to the fullest.

“I read over my lines often to try to get the lines down and memorized,” Lamka said. “Also, I watch other productions of the show to see how others may have taken the role. I’ve researched the time period to understand the mindset of my character and how I would be treated/act in this very specific society.”

Seniors Chris Clark and Mary Caroline Admire portray John and Elizabeth Proctor, the married couple who are accused of adultery and witchcraft, respectively. Theatre members performed the play for competition on March 23, and along with this, students were able to see the play during school hours.

“On March 18, all English classes were welcome to come to the auditorium and watch performances of the play, from zero hour to seventh period,” Lamka said. “It was 40 minutes long, so everyone had the opportunity to see the entire production.”

After weeks and weeks of rehearsal, the members of The Crucible gathered at Hebron High School on March 23 and performed their one act play in front of competing casts. West theatre advanced to Districts on April 2 to compete against Plano East Senior High School, Hebron High School, Flower Mound High School, Allen High School and Lewisville High School.