The Crucible

Character Descriptions

Rev. Samuel Parris: 35-45 (M) Puritan minister of the Church in Salem. Uncle of Abigail Williams, father of Betty Parris. Self-serving, power hungry, insecure. Dislikeable, controlling, obsessed with reputation.

Abigail Williams 17-25 (F) Antagonist. One of the first girls to falsely accuse neighbors of witchcraft. She is profoundly dishonest, ego centric, opportunistic – willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants.

John Proctor 35-45 (M) A landowner – and the tragic hero of the play . Honest, upright and blunt spoken, a good man but one with a secret fatal flaw – an affair with Abigail Williams – which contributes to jealousy and ultimately sets the entire witch hysteria in motion. A proud man who places great emphasis on his reputation.

Elizabeth Proctor 35-50 (F) Quiet, loving, religious, a puritan woman, strong in faith and dedicated to her family. While she represents the ideal wife and mother – she lacks self esteem and struggles to recognize her own self-worth.

Tituba 30+ (F) Enslaved native Caribbean woman residing and working in the Parris household. Kind, caring, honest but also vulnerable and easily manipulated.

Mary Warren: 17-25 (F) A young servant girl in the Proctor household. She is an accuser in the witch trials and confesses to witchcraft herself. She is fickle, submissive, fearful and weak. She is easily influenced by others (in particular Abigail Williams) and symbolizes just how easily a society can be molded and shaped by panic.

Rev John Hale :35-45 (M) John Hale is the puritan pastor of Beverly, Massachusetts. One of the most prominent and influential ministers associated with the witch trials, presented as a knowledgeable and confident expert in identifying witchcraft but his belief in the trials is ultimately challenged by evidence and his growing awareness of injustice.

Betty Parris :10-15 (F) Betty is a child, probably only about 10 – daughter of Rev Parris who falls into a strange comatose state after being caught dancing in the woods with other girls and Tituba.

Mrs. Ann Putnum / Sarah Good 40-50 (F) Ann Putnum, wife of a landowner, is well known in the town as a hysterical, dramatic gossip and very jealous woman. She is ‘haunted by dreams’ and obsessed with the loss of her seven babies and unable to focus on anything else. Doubles with Sarah Good, a homeless beggar accused of witchcraft.

Thomas Putnam: 40-50’s (M) Landowner who regards himself as intellectually superior to the majority of Salem’s population. He is a vindictive, resentful person, holding grudges and running campaigns against other people in the town – in particular with regard to land disputes.

Rebecca Nurse: 60+ (F) Rebecca is a prominent and respected older woman in the Puritan community known for her wisdom, piety, and upright character. She is a calm voice amidst the chaos. Despite her good reputation she is falsely accused of witchcraft. Angelic, compassionate and humble.

Francis Nurse :60+ (M) A landowner in Salem who is responsible for settling legal disputes amongst the people. Francis is well respected and generally considered a good man but many people resent his rise to wealth.

Giles Corey: 60+ (Needs to play older) (M) An English-born farmer accused of witchcraft along with his wife Martha. He is blunt, principled and earthy and very devoted to his wife.

Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth: 60+ (M) He is a successful, intelligent and highly respected Puritan judge. His job is to oversee the persecution of those accused of witchcraft. He is authoritative and arrogant.

Judge Hathorne :45+ (M) A puritan judge arrives in Salem with Gov Danforth. He is ‘chief interrogator’ and prosecutor on the trials. Bitter, remorseless, sides with Abigail in the courtroom.

Mercy Lewis: 17-25 (F) A young, unmarried servant girl to the Putnams. Sly, merciless, and friendly with Abigail Williams. Vulnerable to manipulation and pressure. She participates in the ritual in the woods.

Susanna Walcott :17-25 (F) A nervous and hasty girl, younger than Abigail. She works at the Doctors office – participates in the ritual in the woods. Falsely accuses others of witchcraft at the trials.

Ezekiel Cheever: 30-40 (M) A nervous, obedient court clerk who enforces the law without question.

John Willard: 30-40 (M) Salem’s constable who is conflicted and struggles between duty and conscience.