Maltz Jupiter Theatre Teens to Produce, Perform THE CRUCIBLE, 8/16

You may have read Arthur Miller's landmark 1953 play The Crucible. But seeing it produced and performed entirely by local students is an entirely different experience -- and one that you won't soon forget.

Under the guidance of industry professionals at Florida's largest award-winning not-for-profit regional theatre, area students (ages 12-17) have spent their summer at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre participating in a free summer mentorship program to produce the show. The Crucible will take place on the Theatre's stage on Saturday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, the story follows the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1692 and 1693, in which dark magic, jealousy and superstition took hold of the community. As witchcraft hysteria reaches a fever pitch, choices have to be made: conform to survive or uphold your beliefs whatever the consequence.

Known as the Youth Artists' Chair, the project aligns high school students with individual Theatre staff members for one-on-one mentoring and guidance during the creation process of the show. Through the project, students have produced the dramas Hamlet, The Laramie Project and The Good Times are Killing Me since 2011.

The student creative team consists of: Kiel Peterson (producer), 17, of Jupiter; Summer Hope (director), 17, of Jupiter; Madeline Gilbert (stage manager), 16, of Palm City; Bethany Hoffman (assistant stage manager), 15, of Jupiter; Tiffany Bucknor (scenic designer), 16, of Jupiter Farms; Ashleigh McDonald (lighting designer), 17, of Jupiter; Kevin Macia (sound designer), 16, of Jupiter; Cami Wright (costume designer), 15, of Loxahatchee; Alison Carey (costume assistant), 13, of Jupiter; Gabriela Abadia (props master), 17, of Palm Beach Gardens; Tara Bucknor (properties assistant), 16, of Jupiter Farms; Justin Savage (marketing director), 17, of Riviera Beach; Jennifer Vasbinder (public relations director), 16, of Jupiter; and Erika Sauer (production associate), 16, of Palm Beach Gardens.

The show's director and producer also cast the show's young performers. They are: Vincent Bolchoz, 16, of Tequesta; Tom Matthews, 16, of Jupiter; Skye Friedman, 12, of Jupiter; Emily Rynasko, 16, of Hobe Sound; Nicky Ferraro, 16, of Stuart; Cara Young, 17, of Wellington; Celest Miranda, 17, of Port St. Lucie; Kara Grozan, 16, of Jupiter; Zachary Reeves, 15, of Jupiter; Laura Guley, 16, of Jupiter; Emma Ridley, 15, of Palm Beach Gardens; Skyler Sajewski, 14, of Palm Beach Gardens; Emily Winkler, 14, of West Palm Beach; Leandre Thivierge, 12, of West Palm Beach; Alex Modric, 16, of Lake Worth; Matthew Paszkiet, 16, of Jupiter; Samuel Rahman, 15, of Jupiter; Brendan Arp, 13, of Jupiter; Maddie King, 13, of Jupiter; Carlie Schelhorn, 13, of Jupiter; Finnegan Anthony, 13, of West Palm Beach; Dylan Lugosi, 12, of Palm Beach Gardens; and Mia Patz, 17, of Jupiter.

The director, Summer Hope, a junior at Jupiter High School, said taking on the tragic drama is a challenge in itself. As teenagers, producing such a dramatic, powerful piece is emotionally overwhelming, but also extremely exciting.

"The Crucible is a story about betrayal, empowerment and accusation, which is still occurring in young lives today. It's an emotional story set in 1692 that also involves similarities to the blacklist era, which took place in the late 1940's. Everyone in the cast is extremely talented and we look forward to opening night."

Tickets are on sale now for The Crucible, with one performance only slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children/students. For information about the show and to purchase tickets, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call (561) 575-2223.

About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre - The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida's preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state's largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws nearly 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,611 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida's highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence in 2012. For more information about the Theatre's upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.