Image: Set in a high school English classroom in rural Georgia, John Proctor is the Villain depicts a group of students as they grapple with Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, discovering unsettling parallels to their own lives in the process. As the story unfolds, deep-seated secrets surface, challenging their notions of heroism, villainy, and who gets to define the narrative. Belflower’s play offers a razor-sharp exploration of gender, power, and the stories we inherit and retell. Since its original workshop production in 2017, John Proctor is the Villain has been staged on college campuses and professional theatres across the country, culminating in its upcoming Broadway debut at the Booth Theatre later this year. Writer Kimberly Belflower, an Emory University playwrighting faculty and rural Appalachian herself, strove to imbue the play with an authenticity in its depiction of southern culture as it relates to young women – a facet of the script that spoke to director and PhD student Sloan Elle Garner. “This play is unapologetically Appalachian,” says Garner. “[Belflower] captures the beauty and complexity of the culture, even the more problematic elements. It simultaneously feels deeply personal and universally resonant.” Department head of theatre and film studies Julie Ray is serving as scenic designer for John Proctor is the Villain and expressed excitement at its modern perspective. “Belflower's contemporary point-of-view on the challenges and joys of girlhood lends it a timeliness that we feel lucky to engage in and it’s an added bonus that the work speaks so directly to Georgian audiences.” Two tie-in events will take place in conjunction with the production. On February 3, the department of theatre and film studies will screen Nicholas Hytner’s 1996 adaptation of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in room 400 of the Fine Arts Building at 6:00 p.m., hosted by production dramaturg Bridget Blanchard. After the production’s preview performance on February 13, Blanchard will lead a talkback with select members of the cast and creative team on their experience with the show. UGA Theatre presents John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower. Directed by Sloan Elle Garner. Performances will be held in the Cellar Theatre of the Fine Arts Building at 255 Baldwin St. on Feb. 13-15, 19-22 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. The performance on Feb. 21 will feature ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation for deaf and hard of hearing audience members. Tickets are $18, $6 for students and can be reserved at ugatheatre.com/proctor or by phone at 706-542-4400 or in person at the Performing Arts Center or Tate Center box offices. Performance Schedule: February 13: 8:00 p.m. (Preview and Talkback) February 14-15: 8:00 p.m. February 16: 2:00 p.m. (Matinee) February 19-22: 8:00 p.m. (Feb. 21 - ASL Interpreted) February 23 (Matinee): 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit ugatheatre.com/proctor or call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400. CAST Alyssa Halford - “Shelby Holcomb” Claire Wathen - “Beth Powell” Bella Smith - “Raelynn Nix” Bryson Maycumber - “Carter Smith” Lily Morris - “Bailey Gallagher” Meagan Runner - “Nell Shaw” Nora Feeney - “Ivy Watkins” Jacob Decker - “Lee Turney” Alex Cheeks - “Mason Adams” Natalie Hamm – Student, “Raelynn” S Gabby Almon – Student, “Beth” & “Bailey” S Arushi Raza – Student, “Shelby” & “Ivy” S Arwa Abdelrahmen – Student, “Nell” S Elliott Furie – Student, “Mason” S Nathaniel Long - “Carter,” “Lee” U/S Read More: John Proctor is the Villain
