They get to experience a brutally honest audience. There is no fakery allowed; their skills are put to the test and hopefully they've done their job and have the audience cheering by the end of the performance.

The early results, I think, are very encouraging.

This is so important to us because it gives these students such a great opportunity. It also allows us to have an expanded cast size, especially a cast that has been trained classically. This is the students' 'professional debut' and gives Kansas City a chance to see them onstage outside of UMKC, which sometimes has greater exposure.

In 1992, the Coterie formed a partnership with the graduate acting program at UMKC to have the third year graduating class make their Coterie debut each January-February. Because the program emphasizes the acting of classical material, the Coterie is able to produce plays that utilize the students' skills.

In a time where we look at religion involved in church and state, I believe that this piece has contemporary relevance and provides much to think about when you see the play. I'm very excited about it.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond examines society's intolerance about those who differ, using a witch hunt as the main action of the play. This book stands out as a children's literature classic and we're proud to be able to present it. This material is powerful to young adults the way Arthur Miller's The Crucible is for adults.