Salem Witch Trials on Stage: John Proctor is the Villain with Jane Barnette

Professor and author Jane Barnette from the University of Kansas joins us for a discussion on how witch trial narratives continue to influence our cultural understanding.

She shares about her groundbreaking production of Kimberly Bellflower’s “John Procter is the Villain” – a contemporary play that boldly reexamines “The Crucible” through the lens of #MeToo, premiering at the University of Kansas just days before its Broadway debut.

“John Procter is the Villain” considers Arthur Miller’s messaging in “The Crucible,” examining how Miller’s fictional recreations of historical figures like John Proctor and Abigail Williams have shaped public perception of the Salem trials, often at the expense of historical accuracy. Consider with us, how theatrical reinterpretation can help reclaim silenced voices and how the term “witch hunt” has evolved in contemporary discourse.

Theater serves as a powerful medium for confronting and transforming our understanding of the past and modern society. Witch Hunt podcast examines historical witch trials and their continuing impact on society through conversations with experts, descendants, and advocates for justice.