Kyle Vasquez exudes the cool mom energy any theater company would be lucky to have. As the matron of drama, the maven of all things Salem, and the director of the dirge, Vasquez brought an abundance of energy to this highly ambitious production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” It is a serious play posing all kinds of artistic challenges, and this young company answered the call with courage and commitment. With these key qualities, anything is possible in the world of theater and it is a positive sign of things to come.
Ana Bogren went above and beyond in her duties as production manager. She managed to produce an exhibition of aesthetic and educational excellence with her assistant Hazel Termini and under the guidance of dramaturg Genevie “Q” Herbranson. The program is an informational and cultural portal complete with a YouTube playlist of the soundtrack of songs featured in the production. Most impressive, however, may be the “biographies” of the characters written by the actors with a photograph of them in costume, which are exhibited in the hallway outside of the theater. This creative approach to educating the public about the historical context of this important play gives it another dimension altogether.
Even the merch was cleverly crafted to match the theme of the play. The student-actors created a series of collectible tchotchkes that celebrate the witchy energy of the play. This multimedia aspect of Renegade Theater is a product of Vasquez’s Seven Directions Creative Learning Center. While Miller’s play has been produced many times, it has never been done quite like this. Through their creative collaborations, the production and design staff have created a unique dramatic experience.
Arthur Miller wrote beautifully about something poisonous at the core of colonial America, something unsettled and dangerous. Before there was a constitution that separated the power of the church from the state, superstition and rumor had devastating potency. The discovery of a ritual in the woods leads to a tragic era of miscarried justice famously known as the Salem Witch Trials. This version of the play, produced in a time when “witchiness” has been reappropriated as a strength, makes the judgmental piety of the parishioners that much more ironic.
It is exciting to have a new theater company in Santa Cruz. With this first non-musical production, Renegade Theater has announced itself as a creative force to be reckoned with. Check them out online at renegadetheaterco.org to learn more about their upcoming season, to donate, or to get involved with this interesting creative collective. “The Crucible” runs for one more weekend at the Actors’ Theater, 1001 Center St. in Santa Cruz, so be sure to get tickets early if you want to see this remarkable show.
