On Stage: Teens tackle tough issues in Clark Theater's staging of 'The Crucible' By MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer 10/25/2004 See how easily neighbor can turn against neighbor as Clark Youth Theater presents "The Crucible," Arthur Miller's drama set amid the backdrop of the Salem witch trials in 1692 There are several challenges for the teenagers in staging this classic of the American theater, said director Genie Reiman, such as understanding how the characters' actions are based on religious beliefs.

Alyssa Cheatham as Mary Warren, left, Audra Miller as Elizabeth Proctor and Preston Lindley as John Proctor rehearse a scene from “The Crucible” at Clark Youth Theater. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World

"They're so amazed that these kinds of things could have happened in the name of the church," she said, "but we've talked about how people are only human, and things can get twisted around sometimes."

This subject matter is quite different from the lighthearted, comedic material that Clark Theater often presents, but the play selection committee made up of young people wanted to do something a bit more demanding. Miller's 1953 fictionalization of the Salem events -- clearly written at the time in response to rampant McCarthyism -- certainly qualifies.

On the lighter side of such challenges, there have been the youths' efforts to get their mouths around some large words.

"I think everyone's vocabulary has expanded doing this," Reiman said with a chuckle. "We've gone from big to prodigious."

And then there are the manners and clothing of the period, which occasionally have turned play rehearsals into history lessons for the cast, which averages about age 14.

"It's been interesting to talk about how people acted, like my stopping the girls from sitting with their legs crossed, and the boys having to wear knickers," the director said. "There's been a bit of them saying 'I don't want to wear knickers!' and me telling them, 'I don't care if you want to wear knickers, that's what they wore!' They're so funny at this age."

The cast includes Caitrin Sneed, Dylan Glenn, Chantelle Fitzpatrick, Taylor Casillas, Tabitha Littlefield, Katherine Alberty, Alyssa Cheatham, Deanna Mancino, Preston Lindley, Rena Borg, Clayton Bradshaw, Audra Miller, Adi Cerda, Reye McAtee, Rebecca Sparks, Olivia Pacheco, Pieter Van Tassell, Maddie Childs and Jerib Kaiser.

Clark Youth Theater's production of "The Crucible" has performances set for 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, also 8 p.m. Nov. 5-6. The theater is located at 11440 E. Admiral Place. Tickets are $5-$7 and may be reserved by calling 669-6455.