THE CRUCIBLE casting project

As you know, Arthur Miller didn’t write this play to be read, but to be
heard and seen on a live stage.
Casting is the process of choosing the right actor for each part. Good
casting in theatre is critical for the audience to really understand and
appreciate the play. In fact, the plays you read in high school and
college were noticed as important pieces of literature because of their
initial theatrical success, which was dependent on good casting.
To cast a part well, directors and casting directors really have to
understand the psychological and physical characteristics of the
characters. Then, they have to choose actors that can play those
characteristics (even if the actor doesn’t seem to immediately have
those qualities in real life—as long as they can play them).
To determine the physical and psychological characteristics they have
to really know the play and be able to provide proof from the text. Kind
of what we’ve been doing in class.
Take a look at the characters on the next page. Make a list of all their
important inner and outer character traits. What lines, stage
directions, or conditions of the play prove they have those
characteristics? Remember not only what they say, but what others
say about him. We did John Proctor’s profile for you so you get an idea.

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CHARACTER Inner qualities Outer qualities

John Proctor He is an adulterer.
He committed adultery with
only one female, probably no
more than a few times.
He is called passionate by
Abigail (comparing him to his
“cold” wife).
He is hot tempered
Look at the lines he says to Mary
Warren. He also loses it with
Elizabeth relatively quickly in the
beginning of Act 2
He’s got to be physically fit. Farming
in those days was VERY hard labor.
Because of this kind of work, he
probably isn’t very “buff”, but more
“cut” because he’d be working ALL day
long (that slims you down). But he
could be buff, too. He definitely
would not be strong and fat, though,
like a powerlifter or Olympic
weightlifter.

He feels guilty about his

adultery and his continued lust
for Abigail. This is mentioned
several times by both John and
Abigail.

He is an honest man.
He confessed his sin to
Elizabeth. Moreover, he
struggled to get himself to lie.

He has integrity. He struggles

because he wants to do the
right thing.
Elizabeth in Act 3 says how John
is an honest upright man. He
doesn’t spend time in a lot of
recreation (shuffleboard) or
drinking.
He confessed to his wife and
tried to make her life better.
Is struggling with staying alive
for his family or not lying. In this
struggle, Elizabeth says to him
that whatever he decided “it’s a
good man that does it”.

He will not “rat” on his friends.

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Abigail Williams
Elizabeth Proctor
Reverend Parris
Thomas Putnam
Ann Putnam
Rebecca Nurse
Tituba
Reverend John Hale
Mary Warren
Giles Corey
Now, decide on the actors (or non-actors who you can imagine actually begin actors) who
would probably best play those roles in your opinion. For example…

A younger Russell Crowe as John Proctor.

I believe a young Russell Crowe would be outstanding as Proctor because of his previous roles
where integrity was a key trait. He’s presented the necessary integrity in various films. In
ROBIN HOOD, his Robin Hood stood up and plainly stated to the king that his Crusades were
morally wrong, knowing full well he would be punished. In GLADIATOR, his character was loyal
to the Caesar, even if though he was plain and honest in telling Caesar that he does not want to
continue the war and just wants to go home. Moreover, Crowe has been films where his libido
takes over for the worse, like in AMERICAN GANSTER; so, he know how to play the lecher. And
in that movie, his character comes to grips with the problems with his philandering, just like
Proctor does. Lastly, the young Crowe has a very powerful physique of a man who does “real”
work like the heavy lifting of real life objects; he doesn’t have a pretty boy’s body-building
physique. He has the body of a farmer.
If you choose a non-actor to play the part, what traits does that person have that match the
character’s? For this, you would still have to provide examples of real-life events to explain
those internal and external qualities.
A much older Mr. Garcia as Giles
If we age Mr. Garcia twenty years, he’d be just right for Giles. Like Giles, Mr. G. has a very
slim physique, but is actually stronger than he looks. Despite his advanced years, Giles would
need to be strong to continue his farming. Also, Mr. Garcia like to prod his friends with a
degree of passionate anger, arguing about both unimportant and important issues. So does
Giles. Yet, both Garcia and Giles maintain their respect and affection with friends.

So, here is your assignment:

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Part 1
You are to do the same as above for SIX of the characters listed on page 2 of this packet:
Choose an actor or real-life person that would be chosen to play each of the characters. You
must also do this for John Proctor, but in your own words with your own choice of actor.
Create a chart similar to the one on page 2 of this packet, and fill in the information. Then, pick
the actor you feel would best interpret the role. It need not even be an actor at all. It doesn’t
even need to be a celebrity. It can be a person you personally know who has those traits. We’ll
just pretend he/she is an actor.
For each “actor”, write a paragraph that clearly states the reason for your choice.
Part 2
Create a PowerPoint project that visually displays your ideas. Obviously, pictures of your
person/actor need to be presented.
Grades:
1. Neat and creative presentation.
2. Logical and detailed argument
3. Evidence from the play

ALTERNATIVE PROJECT
For the Theatre Magnet students, you may do the above, only casting THREE of
the characters AND create…
 a set design or model
 a publicity poster
 three costume designs
The designs must be appropriate to theme, character and mood of the play.
A theatrical/directorial concept (something other than straight-up Realism) is
welcome but must make sense.