This is an Non-Equity Production of a new work (Equity Reading originally staged at Black Box Lab at Stage284)
In 1692, as the Salem witch scare reached its apex, Nathaniel Saltonstall of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was appointed on a panel of judges tasked with trying dozens of pending witchcraft cases. Saltonstall is the only judge who raised his voice against the trials. SALTONSTALL, the play, is this story.
Directed by Myriam Cyr [www.myriamcyr.com] . Story by Michael Cormier.
Written by Michael Cormier and Myriam Cyr.
Performances: Thursday – Sunday, November 1 – 4, 2018
Chester Hawrylciw Theater, Spurk Building, NECC, 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill MA ( the town the Saltonstall Family settled in). Accessible by train or car from Boston.
NOTE: Two different locations for auditions:
Tuesday, May 1, 5:30 – 7:30 at The Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St, Haverhill, MA (original homestead of the Saltonstall family)
Wednesday, May 2, 6:00 – 8:00 at First Congregational Church of Hamilton, 684 Bay Road, Hamilton, MA [Heritage Hall Ministry Center (to the left of the driveway), 2nd floor]
Auditions will consist of a one-minute monologue of your choice from a straight play. Be prepared to stay a bit later than your audition time, as you may be asked to also do a cold reading from the script. Sign up for an audition slot here:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0B4AAEAD2AA2FB6-saltonstall
Cast of Characters Some of the actors may play several parts.
NATHANIEL SALTONSTALL: Haverhill Town Clerk and Magistrate. Male, Early-to-mid-50’s, tall but slight of build, sharply handsome facial features; he keeps a dignified air at all times, yet has a sensitive and therefore vulnerable conscience that sometimes comes out in private.
REV. JOHN WARD: Head pastor of the Haverhill parish; male, elderly, slim, gray, frail, bent carriage but dignified countenance; he’s wise and wizened from the years, and has begun to recognize some flaws in Puritan thinking; he has a dry sense of humor, is able to laugh at himself, yet still retains his pride as one of the most respected ministers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
ELIZ. SALTONSTALL, SR. Wife of Nathaniel Saltonstall, daughter of John Ward; early 50’s, dignified, obviously from good breeding, pretty in an upper-crust way; a strong woman for the time, she’s intelligent and persuasive, especially with her sometimes stubborn husband, who values her advice deeply.
ELIZ. SALTONSTALL, JR. Daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Saltonstall Mid-20’s; pretty and obviously of good breeding; a little sheltered, but also wiser from the youthful loss of her first husband. Mother to a young son.
REV. ROWLAND COTTON Assistant Pastor at the Sandwich parish; male, mid-20’s, handsome in a mild-mannered and well-reared way; a deep thinker, fearless in speaking his mind, yet respectful; he loves ‘Lizbeth’ and wants her hand in marriage.
CONSTABLE AYER Constable at Haverhill; well-dressed in commoner’s style; slim, affable; dedicated and subservient. Male. Around 30 years old.
REV. NICHOLAS NOYES Pastor at Salem Town; one of chief witch-trial advocates and activists; conservative in his Puritan beliefs; opinionated; male, mid-40’s.
JOHN HATHORNE Judge at Salem. Appointed to Court of Oyer and Terminer; from successful, well-connected family; male, early fifties; Cynical and quick to blame.
WILLIAM STOUGHTON Politician and major landowner in Massachusetts Bay; appointed Chief Justice of Court of Oyer and Terminer; male, early 60’s, stern and upright, regal carriage.
BRIDGET BISHOP First “Witch” tried on June 2, 1692. 60 years old, outspoken, ill-tempered, uneducated with poor English skills. A friendless, unhappy, yet bravely outspoken woman.
SHERIFF CLEMENT Male, mid-thirties.
DELIVERANCE HOBBS Witness against Bridget Bishop; accused of witchcraft herself; Female, 50 years old.
SARAH GOOD Accused witch; haggard and depressed, defeated, almost lifeless at times; Female, 30 years old.
JAILER A crazy man. Think of one of the pirates from Pirates of the Caribbean. Young, old, doesn’t matter. A man who’s spent way too much time in the dark enjoying people’s suffering.
The following are all peasants, landowners, probably farmers and tradespeople, world-worn:
GOODMAN SHATTUCK GOODMAN COOPER GOODMAN QUINN GOODY COOPER
""This program is supported in part by a grant from the (name of local cultural council), a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency."
Videos
