The University of Illinois Springfield Theatre Program will present six performances of “John Proctor is the Villain” by Kimberly Belflower.

The show will run for two weekends: Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 14, and Thursday, April 18, through Saturday, April 20, in the Studio Theatre on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m., except for the Sunday show on April 14, which will start at 2 p.m.

Belflower creatively focuses on how young adults today are unsatisfied with traditional interpretations of classics, which no longer reflect the contemporary world. She achieves this by depicting a present-day Appalachian Georgia high school class delving into the seminal American classic “The Crucible.”

The Washington Post raves, “A knockout…‘John Proctor is the Villain’ is… pushing for a 4.0 GPA.”

Rhys Lovell, artistic director at the Heartland Theatre Company in Bloomington-Normal, will serve as guest director with scenic design and technical direction by UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Dathan Powell.

Cast members include UIS students Kayla Sarabia, Kira Roberts, Lucas Shilling and Carter Coryell. UIS alumni Kat Pruitt and Nia Tiller are also part of the cast. At least 15 people make up the backstage team, of which over half are UIS students.

Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for UIS faculty and staff, $8 for UIS students and $6 for young adults/children under 17. Please note that service charges are not included in the prices above.

Tickets can be purchased on the UIS Performing Arts Center website or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Ticket Office, located on the first level of the UIS Public Affairs Center near the main entrance. There is a $2.50 service fee if tickets are purchased online or over the phone. Patrons may call the UIS Ticket Office at 217-206-6160 or visit the UIS Theatre website for more information.