# Witches!? In Salem?! (A Brief & True Narrative Edition)

## Metadata

- Slug: witches-one-act
- Type: Short Play
- Genre: Comedy
- Acts: 1 act
- Duration:
  - 20–40 minutes
  - 40–60 minutes
- Cast:
  - Medium (7-14)
  - Large (15+)
- Cast Summary: 6f, 4m, can be expanded to 24+. Any gender can play any role.
- Technical Requirements: Flexible
- Suitable For:
  - Community Theatre
  - College/University
  - High School/Secondary
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/gh72xkoems5870552wganneruqi8

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## Authors

- By [Matt Cox](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/matt-cox)

## Overview

**ALERT: you are looking at the shorter version of** ***Witches!? In Salem?!******* This version features no (literal) devil, curse-y bits, and other parts a high school administration might not like. This is your version for competitions or shorter presentations. OK, keep reading. ****
**Matt Cox, creator of** ***Puffs,* ****has written a new play which also happens to involve witches.** *Witches!? In Salem?!* is a darkly comedic, yet (mostly) historically accurate take on the Salem Witch Trials and all the (mostly) historically accurate horrors which may occur when populism runs rampant, injustice is a day to day occurrence, and a rigid religious minority sets the laws of the land. You know, old timey problems. A companion, or an alternative, to a certain other Salem play you probably read in high school.
*Matt Cox has given his permission for licensees to cut lines and/or scenes as necessary to meet the festival or competition's time requirements without seeking prior approval from Uproar. Lines must still be performed sequentially as written, and words may not be changed or substituted without prior written approval.*
Looking for the full-length versions in all their glory? [Here they are.](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/witches)

## Plot

Welcome to Salem Village. 1692. It's a bad time to visit. Here, wealthy landowners want your land, local magistrates want your confession, unpopular reverends want your respect but more importantly your firewood, and everyone wants someone to be punished for something. Meanwhile, several local children try to make sense of a hysteria they find themselves at the center of. Oh! And the newest Salem villagers, the Bloodkravens are here too. They are confused, but not letting it get in their way of having a good time.
An examination of all the circumstances, societal pressures, and most importantly, the people responsible for the Salem Witch Trials.

## Cast

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ---- |
| A NOTE ON CASTING: | Feel free to cast any gender in any role. Suggested doubling for 10 actors can be found in the front of the script. Utilize as many actors and mix / match roles to suit your needs. |
| Roles: |  |
| THOMAS PUTNAM | A conniving, greedy soul who will do what it takes to get what he wants. His plot goes awry immediately, but he does his best to keep up with it throughout the play.  |
| REVEREND PARRIS | A spineless, petty narcissist of a Reverend who cares most about his personal needs, gains, and firewood. He demands a respect no one gives him, at least until he becomes the defacto spiritual leader braving the new discovered evil within the village. |
| JOHN PROCTOR | A real everyman, leading actor type. Loves a good powerful monologue.  |
| ABIGAIL WILLIAMS | A twelve year old girl who has seen some stuff. Intelligent, perhaps too intelligent for her own good.  
 |
| BETTY PARRIS | The Reverend’s daughter. Full of confidence and nerves and the proper fear of God.   |
| MARY WARREN | An awkward teenager of the village. She struggles with public speaking and also public accusings of her neighbors of being witches. 
 |
| ANN PUTNAM JR. | A frightening child - very intense. A bit like she crawled out of a horror movie. |
| BELLA’LOCH | Your stereotypical witch living her life. Has some concerns about being discovered, but isn’t too worried.  |
| XANATAR | Your stereotypical wizard. Is loving this Salem place.  |
| GOODY GOOD | A messy street vagrant. Loves the sound of her own name. |
| SARAH DUSTIN | A rather ordinary woman who finds herself on the wrong side of the law. |
| BRIDGET BISHOP | A village woman who has been through this before. Tired, confused, hoping for the best.  |
| LYDIA DUSTIN | Quick to point fingers. Is always sending thoughts and prayers, and wants everyone to know it.  |
| MARTHA COREY | A gospel woman. |
| REBECCA NURSE | The kindest, oldest woman in Salem. Great at bringing a room full of people together.  |
| FARMER GEORGE | A simple farmer with one concern: farming rye.  |
| FARMER JOHN #1 | A simple farmer with not many opinions.  |
| FARMER JOHN #2 | A simple farmer without too many opinions.   |
| THE MAGISTRATE | An amalgamation of various magistrates, judges, and more. A monster delivering their own form of justice.   |
| GOVERNOR PHIPS | A dandy English gentleman. Not a lot of government experience.  |
| DOCTOR GRIGGS | An old doctor who really loves getting paid. |
| EDWARD BISHOP | A member of the Salem congregation with lots of loud and aggressive opinions.  |
| EPHRAIM WILDES | A constable lacking confidence and conviction. Really wants to get paid above all else, but doesn’t love people being angry at him. 
 |
| UNNAMED VILLAGER | A villager with some accusations to throw around.  |

## Materials

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| Original Music & Sounds | Every music and sound effect listed throughout the script from the original Off-Broadway production of WITCHES!? IN SALEM?!, composed by Brian Metolius (Puffs, Night of the Coconut) |
| QLab File & Sound Script | Must also license "Original Music & Sounds." This includes a QLAB file with all of the cues ready to go, as well as a marked script with suggested cue locations.	 |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creator | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded. |

## Press

| Title | URL | Image |
| ----- | --- | ----- |
| WITCHES!? IN SALEM?! - Review | https://fearsmag.com/post/746047192612159488/witches-in-salem-review | https://64.media.tumblr.com/b876855f5d323f8c1832abd0d57aa8b2/f83940f7edf6850f-b3/s1280x1920/fffb8e782b814ab6da1bd096b8cd183d9332b261.jpg |
| Witches in Salem: Interview with Playwright Matt Cox | https://artsycr8tor.medium.com/witches-in-salem-interview-with-playwright-matt-cox-f9eb8b46c6ef | https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:600/1*9qFSMFu4lhg6IvEgse8ZAw.jpeg |

## Links

- [View HTML page](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/witches-one-act)