The new theater, with seating for 636 people, allows students to explore their interest in the theater arts.

“It overall balances out the things from the previous theater that were missing, such as the additional lighting and being able to attach things to the ceiling.” said Raiden Diede, who played the part of Giles Corey in the recently presented play.

Directed by Minot North teacher Aaron Michels, the play, written by American playwright Arthur Miller, focuses on the similarities between the Salem witch trials and the McCarthy era.

“I’ve been interested in putting on this play for a while, but it was actually the students who came to me asking if they could perform the play.” Michels said.

Elizabeth Hendrickson/MDN Lead actors Kelso Lawrence and Eleanor Kingsley rehearse for “The Crucible,” performed in the new Minot North Theater.

The 26-member cast included 19 actors and the production crew.

A brother-sister played the two leads in the play. Eleanor Kingsley, lead actress, said, about performing the lead role with her brother, “If I can do the hard thing, I can do anything.” Although Kelso Lawrence is new to the theater, he said he was excited to be able to act alongside his sister.

Elizabeth Hendrickson/MDN From left to right, Haydn Chapman, William Anderson and Raiden Diede rehearse their fight scene for the play, “The Crucible” performed in the New Minot North Theater.