James Clemens Theatre rehearsing for ‘The Crucible’ in spring 2026
MADISON – For its spring, full-length play, James Clemens Theatre will present a classic in American theatre, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller.
Performances will be presented on April 9-11, 2026. Olivia Skillern is Artistic Director. Bryan Comer will serve as Technical Director. Skillern and Comer teach theatre classes at James Clemens.
“The Crucible” is set during the Salem witch trials that ruined and destroyed lives in the village. Although set in 17th-century Massachusetts, the play explores the ugly side of human nature and applies to lifestyles in the 21st century.
The play’s focus is a group of girls who dance in the forest with Tituba, a Black servant. Rev. Parris discovers the girls, and his daughter falls into a coma. Only guilty of dance, the girls face trials with belligerent officials.
Cast members are Tony Comer (John Proctor); Lena Racelis (Abigail Williams); Juliet Carr (Elizabeth Proctor); Owen Davenport (Reverend Parris); Brendan Philpott (Reverend John Hale); Kayson West (Judge Danforth); Connor Murphree (Judge Hathorn); Hany Amer (Francis Nurse); Grace Lee (Rebecca Nurse); Robin Dunkerley (Giles Corey); Emily St. Peter (Martha Corey); Alayna Gray (Sarah Osborne); Clay Tyrell (Thomas Putnam); Kate Butler (Ann Putnam); and Grace Nuzman (Ruth Putnam).
Other cast members are Ian Mc-Dougal (Ezekiel Cheever); Jordan Johnson (Tituba); Emma Gensler (Mary Warren); Della Wilson (Betty Parris); Bella Garcia (Mercy Lewis); Ella Gibbons (Susanna Walcott); Gavin Sharp (Marshal Herrick); and Owen Clark (John Willard).
Student leaders and technical chiefs include Student Director Apollo Smith; Student Technical Directors Jack Wimberley and Bianca Nastasie; Stage Manager Journey Sailsman; Assistant Stage Managers Penelope May and Braelyn Lewis; Design Director Raleigh Batchelor; Paint Charge Soph Ruf; Set Crew Chief Sean Cummins; and Master Carpenter Brady Percy.
Other tech leads are Props Crew Chief Matthew Adams; Lighting Crew Chief Aster Lach; Costume Designer Corah Minnick; Costumes Crew Chief Kai Minsk; Hair and Makeup Crew Chief Deonna Ware; and Sound Crew Chief Tristen Green.
These students work in Advanced Tech Crews:
• Set Crew – Emma Lasko, Annslee Hellums, Renad Almohtasib and Becky Mahanna.
• Props Crew – Colin Percy and Zamaira Davis-Jordan.
• Lighting Crew – Seth Minsk.
• Costumes Crew – Sunny Sterling and Kylie Jones.
• Sound Crew – Nathan Landers and Gracyn Dardon.
Show times will be 7 p.m. on April 9, 10 and 11, along with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 11. All tickets will be available with S2Pass. Visit fans.s2pass.com/location-selection.
For information, email jamesclemenstheatre@ gmail.com, or visit jctheatre.org or Facebook/ James Clemens Theatre.
