John Proctor is the Villain

JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)

Director’s Note

Kimberly Belflower’s John Proctor is the Villain is one of my favorite plays. Her examination of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible through the eyes of contemporary teenage minds makes for thought-provoking and entertaining theatre. I am honored to work alongside my mentor, Professor Kim Shively, on this riotous and essential piece of American art. Like the playwright I was taught to revere John Proctor. Mr. Smith calls him “one of the greatest heroes of the American Theatre.” But is he? You, the audience, must consider whether John Proctor was driven by genuine remorse and a desire for redemption, or if he was motivated by self-preservation. Belflower has provided the parallel story of Mr. Carter Smith as a conduit for your interrogation of the original play. Our Abigail Williams, Shelby Holcomb, has faced the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” She must overcome the impacts of societal norms and public pressures that label her as crazy and antagonistic to reveal the true villain of our story. With the help of her friends, she might conquer the world, or at least this “one-stoplight town in Georgia.” Enjoy and please discuss as you exit the theatre. Bravo to the cast and the entire production team. You are in for a treat! ~ Mya Brown

Special Thanks

Connie Book, Rebecca Kohn, Gabie Smith, Fred Rubeck, Natalie Hart, Kimberly Rippy, Greg Thorn, Mike Smith, Charles Johnson, Kayla Higbee, Heidi Jo Schiemer, David McGraw, Susanne Shawyer, Kevin Otos, Kim Shively, Elon Gender and LGBTQIA+ Center

Bios

Matthew Bobzien

Alexander Carnot

Monique Fogg

Cara Johnson

Kayla McBratney

Jasmine Smith

Brett Turnbull

Sophia Walper

Anabelle Sumera-Decoret

Sam Olt

Isabella Shaffer

Claire Keel

Mya Brown

Sarah Cadol

Kelly Gillan

Jeff A.R. Jones

Deborah Han

Kayla Higbee

Gabe Tobierre

Lillian Chen

Annika Benander

Ailish O’Brien

Owen Harsch

Ella Schultz

Matthew Bobzien

Matthew Bobzien is a Senior from Raleigh, NC double majoring in Drama & Theatre Studies and Arts Administration. Matthew’s credits include Movement Unscripted (Lighting Designer), The Matriarchy (Lighting Designer), The Antipodes (Stage Manager), Semicolon (Lighting Designer), John Proctor is the Villain (Dramaturg), Game Over (Lighting Designer), Alone Together (Director), She Loves Me (Technical Supervisor), Concord Floral (Assistant Director), Antigone (Technical Supervisor). He is a member of Elon Performing Arts’ improv troupe, Instant Laughter, and the President of and Lead Producer for Elon NewWorks. They were also the Production Manager and Lead Lighting Designer for the 2024 Elon Queer Arts Festival.

Alexander Carnot

Alexander is a Senior Acting Major at Elon University. His previous credits include Mr. Smith in John Proctor is the Villian and The Steward in Into The Woods. He would like to thank his parents for their undying support of his work, Holly Twyford for shoving him into the audition room, and Jane Lanier and the whole creative team for this wonderful opportunity.

Monique Fogg

Monique Fogg is a Senior BFA Acting Major from Durham, North Carolina. She is thrilled to be playing Nell. She would like to thank her mother and sister for their constant support. Other credits at Elon University include Sense and Sensibility (Gossip). Instagram : @moniquefoggg

Cara Johnson

Cara Johnson is a senior BFA Acting major from Paris, Tennessee. While at Elon, Cara has stepped into multiple roles within the performing arts department including Elinor in Sense and Sensibility, Ms. Gallagher in John Proctor is the Villain, Attendant U/S in Medea, and even worked as an Assistant Stage Manager for The Inferior Sex. Post graduation (Spring 2024), Cara plans to further pursue a professional acting career in film, television, and theatre.

Kayla McBratney

Kayla is a senior Arts Administration major with a minor in Theatrical Design and Technology. As the designated "hair and makeup friend" she is so excited to make her Hair & Makeup Design debut! Previous Elon credits include Costume Designer (John Proctor is the Villain) and Assistant Stage Manager (Sense and Sensibility). She would like to thank ALL of the TDT faculty for their support and mentorship throughout her time at Elon.

Jasmine Smith

Jasmine Smith (she/her) is a senior BFA Acting major with a minor in Theatrical Design & Technology. Her previous sound credit includes John Proctor is the Villain (Elon, 2023). She would like to thank the design team and the faculty advisors for all their support during this process.

Brett Turnbull

Brett Turnbull is a senior BFA Acting major from Westchester, New York. He is thrilled to be performing as Oliver in this spring production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. Brett's past credits at Elon include Lee Turner in John Proctor is the Villain as well as Willoughby/John Dashwood U/S in Elon's Sense and Sensibility. Post graduation, Brett will be making his way to NYC to pursue a professional career in acting. Brett would like to thank his family, friends and mentors for the support they have provided him. Instagram: @BTurnbull02

Sophia Walper

Sophia Walper is a junior with majors in Theatrical Design and Technology, and Psychology. This academic year Sophia will work as a lighting designer on John Proctor Is The Villain, Fall Dance 2023, and Myths and Hymns. Recent credits include: Clue, Black History Month Dance Concert, and Bridges of Madison County.  

Anabelle Sumera-Decoret

Anabelle Sumera-Decoret (she/her) is a Sophomore BFA Acting Major from Seattle, Washington. Elon credits include: Concord Floral (8 (Fox) U/S), Clue (Cook, Telegram, Cop, & Auxiliary Scarlet U/S), John Proctor is the Villain (Student Chorus, Beth U/S), and As You Like It (Celia), as well as dramaturgy for The Antipodes. Instagram: @reality.asd

Sam Olt

Sam Olt is a Sophomore BFA Acting major who hails from the great state of Kentucky! His parents made the mistake of putting him on stage 8 years ago, and he's never looked back. He's excited to make his main stage debut after his understudy role in last year's fall play, Concord Floral. He would like to thank his friends, siblings and parents for their endless love. He would also like to thank Elon faculty for being wonderful mentors and giving him this amazing opportunity!

Isabella Shaffer

Isabella Shaffer is sophomore acting major, from Los Angeles, California. She is a recent UNCSA high school drama alum. Previous Elon credits include The Inferior Sex (Joan U/S & Madeleine U/S). Thanks to her family for traveling to see the performance. Enjoy the show!

Claire Keel

Claire Keel is thrilled to be a part of this amazing show. This is her first mainstage part, and she is so happy she got to witness the making of The Inferior Sex and understudy such incredible actresses. Previous credits include: Lily in Anastasia, Masha in The Three Sisters, and Emma in The Language Archive. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Mya Brown

Mya Brown (AEA, SDC) is an Assistant Professor and Co-Coordinator of the BFA in Acting at UNC-Greensboro. She is Assistant Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education, one of the nation's leading organizations in theatrical intimacy practices. She is excited to make her directorial debut at Elon University with Kimberly Belflower’s beautiful and provocative play. Some of her favorite directing projects include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sweat, Skeleton Crew and The Mountaintop. She hopes you enjoy the show and leave motivated to dance your troubles away. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @myasturnnow.

Sarah Cadol

Sarah Cadol is a senior BFA Acting and Strategic Communications Double Major from Denver, Colorado. She is an intern at the Center for Leadership, President of EFFECT, and NewWorks Secretary. Select credits include: Film: Daisy in “The Loop”, Susie in “Last Date”, Cheyenne in “Pitch It To Me”, Molly in “Chores”, Violet in “The MPDG”, and Luna in “La Luna”. Theatre: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes, Elsa in Frozen, Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, and Ado Annie in Oklahoma! She is grateful to be in this incredible show with such talented artists. Enjoy!

Kelly Gillan

Kelly is a sophomore Acting major and is so excited to be making her Main Stage debut! She was the understudy for Yvette in Clue last spring. Her other past roles include Eva in Bring It On and Mote in Love's Labour's Lost. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Jeff A.R. Jones

Jeff A.R. Jones (Fight Director) has staged fights and/or scenes of intimacy for over 200 shows in theatre, opera, and ballet. His fights have received rave reviews in The Washington Post and The New York Times. He is recognized as a Fight Director, Certified Teacher, and Theatrical Firearms Instructor by the Society of American Fight Directors. He is a Certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. He is on faculty at Elon and William Peace University and can be contacted at jarjones@att.net about his fight classes in Raleigh or the new Triangle Intimacy Lab.

Deborah Han

This is Deborah’s second show and first MainStage show at Elon! She has loved learning and being able to be a part of such an amazing production!

Kayla Higbee

Kayla Higbee (she/her) is a Costume Designer and Assistant Faculty Member of Performing Arts at Elon University. Selected Costume Designs: Men on Boats (Tantrum Theatre), Tall Girls (SEY Independent Productions), Twelfth Night (Centre College), Superior Donuts (AthensWest Theatre Company), Assassins (Centre College), Objects in the Mirror (Tantrum Theatre), Stitched with a Sickle and a Hammer (Ohio University), The Wolves (Ohio University). Other: Assistant to the Costume Designers, Texas Shakespeare Festival (2022), Wardrobe Supervisor, Berkshire Theatre Group (2015-2019), Resident Costume Designer, Centre College (2014-2018). MFA, Ohio University.

Gabe Tobierre

Gabe Tobierre is a sophomore Music Theatre Major and is so thrilled to be back for Collage! He worked this summer at the New London Barn Playhouse in Guys & Dolls, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and The Wedding Singer. He can next be seen as a part of this year's fall play: John Proctor is the Villain which runs October 6-10 in Roberts Studio Theatre! He hopes you have a grand ole' time watching this years version of Collage!

Lillian Chen

Lillian is a first-year student from New Jersey and is so excited to be taking part in As You Like It as the light board operator! She is double majoring in Theatrical Design & Technology and Strategic Communications and when not taking part in shows, she also works as a house manager for the performing arts productions. Recent Elon credits include: The Antipodes (ASM), Abusua - Black History Month Dance Concert (Stage Manager), and Spring Dance Concert (ASM). She hopes you enjoy the performance!

Annika Benander

Annika Benander is so excited to be working on their first Elon University mainstage production! Annika recently graduated high school from the University North Carolina School of the Arts as a part of the Calliope Acting Ensemble, and is now a first year Acting BFA major here at Elon! She is so excited to begin this new journey and is so grateful to the whole John Proctor Is The Villain team for creating such a supportive creative space to grow into.

Ailish O’Brien

Ailish O’Brien is a first-year Acting Major and Dance Minor from Southern Pines, North Carolina. She is beyond excited to be in her first mainstage production at Elon and hopes that everyone enjoys the show!

Owen Harsch

Owen Harsch is a first-year BFA Acting major from Davidson, North Carolina. Earlier this year, he was Lee U/S in John Proctor is the Villian at Elon. His previous credits include Mamma Mia (Bill) at Hough High School, and A Chorus Line (Mike) with Davidson Community Players. He would like to thank the cast and crew for a great experience, and he is so excited for you to see the show!

Ella Schultz

Ella is a first-year BFA acting major at Elon University. She previously understudied Shelby in John Proctor is the Villian and is thrilled to be making her McCrary debut as Audrey in As You Like It. She would like to thank her family and friends for being her support. Enjoy the show!