The local theatre community comes out for a two-night showing of Arthur Miller's The Crucible in tribute to retired Memorial English professor Dick Bueller starting on Friday, Aug. 26. The production is a collaborative reunion project of Dick's Kids Productions, a group of friends, colleagues and former students of Mr. Buehler.

Featured in the production is an extensive line-up of local theatre performers including Jennifer Adams, Terri Andrews, Peter Ayers, Dick Buehler, Petrina Bromley, Neil Butler, Robert Chafe, Janet Edmonds, Aiden Flynn, Heather Hiscock, Morris Hodder, Danielle Irvine, Kelly Jones, Jill Kieley, Janet McDonald, Kimberley Mullins, Steve O'Connell, Sean Panting, Paul Power, Mark Scott, Dave Walsh, Keith Vokey and many more.

The idea to put off the show happened a few weeks ago when a bunch of Mr. Buehler's former students heard that a Dick Buehler Award in Theatre had been established.

Jennifer Deon, one of the organizers for the show and founding member of Dick's Kids Productions, said, “We thought it would be a great opportunity to get together and do something to not only raise money for the award, but also have a reunion so we could celebrate what the Reid Theatre and, most importantly, Dick Buehler means to us both personally and professionally.”

“He ran the Reid Theatre for the last couple of decades and so many of us have taken courses with him or been in a show with him,” she added. “His reach into the local theatre community is huge and he has left quite an impact on so many people.”

The idea spread like wildfire and many of the founding members of Dick's Kids Productions started receiving calls from many interested and talented people who wanted to be a part of the show. Some of the roles had to be doubled up as a result of the overwhelming response.

They started a week and a half ago to put the cast together and one rehearsal is all they will have before they go into final production mode.

“With the calibre of the people involved and how familiar they all are with working with each other, I have no doubt that the show is going to be fantastic,” said Ms. Deon. “It is such an incredible experience for us all to come together to mount this show - some of us haven't had the chance to work together for years and we're having a great time.”

The Crucible is a historical play based on events of the Salem witchcraft trials.

Arthur Miller's The Cruciblewill be performed on Friday, Aug. 26, and Saturday, Aug. 27, in the Reid Theatre, located in the Arts and Administration Building, starting at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted at the performance for the Dick Buehler Award in Theatre. This award is given to a student who has completed the requirements for the Diploma in Performance and Communications Media and who intends to continue their training at an institution of higher learning or as an apprentice to an approved professional theatre or film company. The first award will be presented at the 2006 spring convocation.