Act Out

Hey, I’m Sofia Anton! I’m a freshman, and I love reading, writing, history, singing, Taylor Swift, Green Day (yes, two very different genres), The Simpsons and South Park.

I’m so glad you decided to tell people about yourself and the current Homestead production.  What exactly do you do for The Crucible?

I am in the ensemble; I’ve really just been referring to myself as Possessed Girl #4.

What brought you to join the cast, crew for The Crucible?

I have never starred in a production before unless you count narrating church pageants with a dozen rowdy little kids, and I just thought it would be a cool way to put myself out there. Also, my friends have said I would be a good actress, so I wanted to see if I was. I must be doing something right!

Do you have any stories from rehearsals, practices or crew sessions?

I am pretty new to theater in general, but what sticks out to me was the time Figg had us do what she deemed “an intense trust exercise”: the guys stood onstage, which was littered with chairs and stools, and us girls were in the wings. The girls were to wander around the cluttered stage – with our eyes closed! – and the guys needed to ensure we didn’t run into chairs, stools, or each other. They could move the chairs and stools out of our way, and if we were about to bump into each other they could steer us away. I’ve gotta say, kudos to the guys; I didn’t trip once. Thanks, fellas!

All art comments on something or aligns itself with current issues.  How does this work comment on current social or political issues and has it influenced you?

The Crucible was written in 1953, which is already a while back, but it takes place in 1692. Arthur Miller wrote it as an analogy to the Red Scare of the 1950s, when, basically, people accused each other of being Communists during the Cold War. He saw history repeating itself: people not wanting to be associated with witches/Communists, so ratting each other out if they seemed suspicious, or if they just didn’t like each other. With political tensions flaring like never before, I believe many similarities can be drawn today. This is cliche, but The Crucible has really made me see the importance of learning about history as to not repeat it.

What do you hope the audience will be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?

I hope people carefully consider what happens when power falls into the hands of dangerous people because that’s what The Crucible is all about.

What’s one thing that is different in this play or rehearsal process than anything else we’ve done in the Homestead Theatre Department?

I can’t answer this question honestly, since it is my first production here; however, I will say the kindness I have been shown by everyone is unrivaled.

Anything else you want to talk about?

Thanks to the ever-patient crew, the enthusiastic cast, and the utterly amazing Figg 🙂 Come see The Crucible on November 1-2 at 7pm and November 3 at 1pm!