Mayfield links stage to classroom in our riveting spring production
In an interdisciplinary undertaking that began in English classes and culminated on stage, Mayfield students experienced an immersive theatre studies lesson with their spellbinding spring drama production of the The Main, based on Arthur Miller’s classic, The Crucible.
The collaboration between the Theatre Conservatory and the English Department encouraged students not just to read and study a great American play, but to experience it, said English teacher and Department Chair Shandy Carlson. She included an analysis of Miller’s 1952 play, The Crucible, in her AP Literature and other senior-level classes.
The Main, a new exploration of The Crucible, is based on a fictionalized story involving the Salem Witch Trials. The Mayfield production was set in the future, in the Salem Commune on the planet Prima Centauri, 2092.
The production was riveting, the set otherworldly and the actors challenged themselves, using their performance to explore issues of intolerance, justice and the dangers of conformity.
“I really feel that I possess a deep understanding of the play,” said Claire Walker ’17, who first read The Crucible in AP Lit. Claire played John Proctor, one of the lead roles.
She said her AP Lit analysis proved crucial to interpreting the powerful role and fueled her excitement to bring him to life on stage.
The Technical Theatre Conservatory designed one of Mayfield’s more elaborate sets, transforming Pike Auditorium into an eerie planet with towering “pods” representing futuristic habitats. One stunning costume featured a long skirt with yards of deep red fabric.
Several students said the show, directed by Art Department Chair and Theatre Conservatory Director Sam Robinson, pushed them to to reach beyond their comfort zone as actors.
Emma Gilliland ’19 said the play is particularly relevant in today’s society when when “hatred and accusations are being spread about many groups of people.” She found it “exhilarating to play” a serious character, which is outside her normally comedic comfort zone on stage.
“This play allowed me to portray a character that is more dramatic and emotional, roles I have not experienced much in theatre,” said Avery Arroyo ’19. “It’s exciting to be a part of a story that revolves around faulty trust and unrequited love.”
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Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
