The School of Drama invites you to experience Witch by Jen Silverman (three-time MacDowell Fellow), directed by MFA in Directing alum Daniella Caggiano (SoHo Playhouse, Brooklyn Art Haus). Premiered at Writers Theatre and the Geffen Playhouse in 2018 and 2019, this darkly comic contemporary retelling of a Jacobean drama explores systemic oppression, ambition, and the worth of one’s soul in a world where hope is scarce.
Performance Details
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:30 PM
Friday, November 13, 2026, 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 2:00 PM
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 7:30 PM
Synopsis
A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a "witch" and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her - and then returns again - unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama, this sharp, subversive fable debates how much our souls are wroth when hope is hard to come by.
From the Director:Â
"The system is not broken. It's built this way. It's working exactly as intended, to concentrate wealth and power at the very top." — Robert Reich
Jen Silverman’s Witch may be an adaptation of the Jacobean-era play but its timeliness is undeniable. Witch, a dark comedy, takes us through a small village where The Devil is looking to make a deal with anyone desperate enough to sell their soul. But what is a soul worth anyway when it could buy you the thing you need most? This play is a modern-language twist on a classic trope, examining power and class with sharp humor and disarming clarity.
Facing our current political moment, I know I’m not the only one feeling dread and uneasiness about the uncertain future and the systems that got us here. As Robert Reich articulates, the system is built for those at the top– so how do we navigate a world that is not built for us? Is a better world possible? And what would it take to get there? These are the core questions informing my production of Witch and what I hope will make for a rich creative process and a production that keeps you up at night. – DC
Presented by The New School.
Committed to amplifying diverse voices, The New School offers more than a thousand public programs and events each year, providing fresh perspectives and unique learning opportunities. These lectures, exhibitions, concerts, and performances feature prominent and emerging artists, activists, and thought leaders.
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