Rehearsals for the fall play have recently been opened up to the student body, something that has never been done before here at Arlington High School.

With the production of The Crucible under way, the director, Mr. Scott Moberly, has noticed a colossal learning opportunity presented to the junior class. Because the juniors read the play in class, Moberly decided that it would be beneficial for students to see it acted out.

“I’m a teacher, yeah; I’m the play director, but I’m a teacher first,” said Moberly about his decision to open up rehearsals. “You have the opportunity to teach the students something kind of new and unique and do something in a unique way, and you do it.”

Moberly said that he understands that not everyone will be able to attend the show, but still wants them to have this learning opportunity.

In addition, Moberly has also presented the opportunity for junior English classes to be able to talk to the actors while they are in character. Students are able to ask the actors questions, which can help them better understand the sometimes confusing actions of the characters in the play.

Parker Gleissman (’16) somewhat struggled as a junior while reading The Crucible. He had trouble keeping characters straight and being able to relate and comprehend the play. Gleissman is excited that actors and students alike have been given this unique opportunity.

“Putting a person’s face with the characters name makes more sense,” said Gleissman.

Moberly recognizes The Crucible in play form, and would love for students to see it as such, instead of reading it in class like any other book.

However, this play does have the potential to spark controversy. Being about the Salem witch trials, some students may have personal values that they feel have kept them from being involved.

But Moberly is not one to shy away from controversy–not only is the play a challenge for actors, but it is also a representation of persecution that continues to happen in today’s society.

Mark Mason (’16) thought the play choice by Mr. Moberly was “genius”.

“It teaches about a moment in history that not a lot of us know about,” said Mason.

Moberly agrees that a valuable lesson can be taken away from the moral of the play.

“You’re dealing with a theocratic society where the churches laws are the same as the state laws, and every time that we run into that in the history of civilization, there are problems,” he said.

Nonetheless, students, teachers, and parents wait in anticipation for opening night at 7pm on November 6th. The actors here at AHS have been working tremendously hard and are anticipated to put on a great show, much like every other year.