Sweet Tea Shakespeare is bringing its November production of The Crucible to downtown Fayetteville. The traveling theater, a group of community actors, artists, designers, and musicians, is setting up camp at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, with shows on Nov. 6-9, 13-16, and 20-23. The show starts on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online at https://sweetteashakespeare.thundertix.com/events/249888.
In true Sweet Tea fashion, the production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a mesmerizing, thought-provoking experience that can’t be missed. A tale of hysteria, morality, justice, and relevance, The Crucible is a fictional tale set in Massachusetts during the Salem witch trials. The play was written in 1953 by American author Arthur Miller in response to the McCarthyism that had led to the public interrogation and condemnation of those believed to be Communists. An allegory of the American political climate, the story centers around an isolated Puritan colony at odds with the indigenous tribes of the land.
“We were looking for something on the spooky side for this slot in the season. Witches that may or may not be real and a witch hunt in Salem felt just right for this time of year. It also may not be a Shakespeare play, but there is something of a Shakespearean tragedy to this story. And we always like to consider what our actors are interested in performing in when we plan out a season, and this was on the list for several people,” said Jessie Wise, executive director and CEO of Sweet Tea Shakespeare.
The Crucible is a story of mischievous children, lies, and the ultimate repercussions of judgment and mass hysteria. The two-hour performance will feature live music, leading the audience on an auditory and visual journey. And one can always expect a contemporary twist when it comes to anything Sweet Tea Shakespeare.
“I think the heart of The Crucible is that classic 'what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive,' as well as 'be sure your sins will find you out.' Our lies and misdeeds don't exist in a vacuum but impact many people around us, as we see in the community of Salem. Attempts to hide mistakes and seek revenge don't just hurt the targeted person, but all those around,” said Wise.
This production does have strong violence, strong language, and death content warnings. Because of the location of this production, attendees should be prepared for a short descent downstairs leading to the Arts Council basement. There is no elevator access.
“We will be performing in the basement of the Arts Council, which provides an intimate performance space. Audience members can feel like they are right in the middle of the action,” Wise said.
Sweet Tea Shakespeare is truly a labor of love, and collaborations with organizations such as the Arts Council are important to make the theater's season happen.
Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s dedication to community engagement shines through this collaboration with the Arts Council of Fayetteville, offering a unique, intimate space for audiences to connect deeply with the material and each other.
The driving mission of the collaboration is “gathering diverse communities around a common table to delight in the magic of story, song, and stagecraft.” Every individual pours their time and talent into making sure that each production is unique and unrepeatable. No show is like the other, because the audience is part of the show. Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a call back to a time when theaters hitched their stages to horses and traveled all over, bringing entertainment, merriment, and storytelling to every corner. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to making theater accessible and serves as the training ground for individuals in the theater industry and beyond.

As for Wise, she is looking forward to the performance of The Crucible, saying the courtroom scene is her favorite.
“I love a good interrogation, and John Proctor's moment of confession and sacrifice is so rich,” she said.
Founded in 2012, with summer productions held at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Sweet Tea has gradually grown and expanded to year-round productions that span all over the city. The organization can’t do what they do without the support of the community. There are several ways to get involved with the theater and be a part of an organization that emphasizes inclusion. Sweet Tea Shakespeare also has a children’s program called Green Tea. The program includes monthly workshops and ensemble sessions, a production camp experience (day and night), college, community, and professional audition and portfolio prep, participation in main stage productions for Sweet Tea Shakespeare, free tickets to all performances, and guaranteed membership into the adult Sweet Tea company. For more information, visit https://sweetteashakespeare.com/youth-acting-company/registration/.
Become a volunteer and help with all aspects of production, from set design to passing out flyers in the community. Sweet Tea is the perfect place to find a home for theater skills and passion. Find out more at https://airtable.com/app0pbGqTe7nVjffU/shr6skf2z7XRGyf4M. For anyone who has been thinking about starting their stage journey, picking it up again after years, or looking to expand the stages they currently perform, audition for a show. To sign up for an audition, visit https://airtable.com/app16UjZ5uJeGkIQE/shrwBNnWtktWRytEm. Become an STS Sponsor and help fund a season of theater. Visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2dd8a552-268d-4ab0-b9b2-3f0fde68c377 to become a sponsor.
Sweet Tea Shakespeare couldn’t do what they do without the help of its community sponsors: Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Blue Star Theaters, The Capital Encore Academy, and Theater Communications Group. To learn more about STS, its impact, and upcoming shows, visit https://sweetteashakespeare.com/.

(Photos courtesy of Sweet Tea Shakespeare)