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To Burn a Witch
To Burn a Witch
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Author: James L. Bray Publisher: Dramatic Publishing Format: Softcover # of Pages: 19 Pub. Date: 1963 ISBN-10: 0871294192 ISBN-13: 9780871294197
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About
the Play:
To Burn a Witch is a one-act drama by James L. Bray.
Awaiting execution for an
accusation of witchcraft, Ruth and Mary must choose between salvation
in the next life or survival here and now. To Burn a Witch
portrays a scene that might have occurred during the Salem Witch
trials of 1683. Especially
recommended for school and contest use.
To Burn a Witch follows
the questioning of two girls accused of witchcraft as they try to
save themselves and each other. Two girls wait in the bare cell room
for the questioning to resume. Accused of witchcraft, they are
terrified. The Salem community in which they live burns to death
those convicted of being "Brides of Satan." Mary refuses to
lie – even to save herself – but Ruth, desperately frightened,
"confesses." The questioners then turn to Mary, but she
cannot bring herself to swear to this lie. Since the two girls have
always been so close, the questioners are dissatisfied with the
conflicting stories. To save herself, Ruth feigns a seizure in which
she deeply implicates her friend Mary. Only one hope remains for Mary
now, and in a scene of dramatic power she makes her final choice.
To Burn a Witch is
an ideal choice for high school drama contests and one-act festivals.
Cast: 4 female
What people say:
"The
play was wonderful. Very appropriate for high school and middle
school students. Provides educational information about a time period
in our history." — T.
Bailen,
School District of Washburn
"Powerful Drama!! If you are
looking for a piece to showcase your strong girls this is it."
— Sally Hoffsommer,
Baldwin High School
"To Burn a Witch
provides a perfect way for a cast of four girls to concentrate on
developing their acting skills." — Ruby
Grove, Fisher School
"I love performing this show
after the English 11 classes have read The Crucible. It creates
really interesting discussions. Should you tell a lie to save your
life? How can a loving God allow this to happen? Do "witch
hunts" still occur? It would also be a great show to take to a
competition." — Jessica
Kropp,
Mena High School Theatre Dept.
About the Playwright:
James Lee Bray
(1927-2003) was an American
writer, actor, and producer of stage and TV, and a Professor of
Education for some 33 years at Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC. He
is known for To
Burn a Witch, a 20-minute-long
play that follows two women who have been accused of witchcraft
during the Salem Witch Trials.
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