John Proctor, male 35-40s: An upright, outspoken, successful farmer in Salem.  He loves and respects his wife and is repentant, but still harbors great guilt, of the one act of adultery he has committed with Abigail Williams, his former servant.  He resents the greediness and holier-than-thou attitude of Reverend Parris and, therefore, invites his wrath and suspicion.  

Deputy Governor Danforth, male 40-60s: The judge appointed especially for the Salem witch trials. Though basically fair and open-minded, he is over-confident in his ability to judge the truth. Danforth feels that it is his duty and destiny to purge society of evil and establish the Kingdom of Christ on earth.  He is, therefore, temperamentally inclined to interpret all evidence as proof that Satan's forces are operating in Salem.

Reverend John Hale, male 30-40s: A minister from the nearby town of Beverly who is called by Reverend Parris to investigate his suspicions of witchcraft in Salem. As he becomes aware of Abigail's, Parris', and Hathorne's hidden agendas, he begins to question the validity of the trials, in which he acts as a judge. He then tries to convince Danforth of the truth, but lacks the courage and conviction to openly oppose him.

Reverend Parris, male 40s: The recently appointed minister in Salem and father of Betty Parris.  Parris is dogmatic in his opinions, intolerant of opposition, and suspicious of those whom he does not like.  His belief in witches and his desire to punish his enemies set in motion the chain of events that leads to the hysteria in Salem.  During the witch trials, he pressures Danforth, the chief judge, to punish those who, in his opinion, are possessed or in league with the Devil.  

Giles Corey, male 50+: A sincere, well-intentioned, though cantankerous, old farmer. He is frank and forthright in his thinking and utterances.  He is on good terms with John Proctor and Francis Nurse. When accused of practicing witchcraft, he faces his death by torture with singular bravery and courage.

Judge Hathorne, male 30-50s: One of the judges who brings his prejudices to the proceedings and tries to interpret all evidence so as to support his pre-determined conclusions.  He takes every opportunity to make Danforth see things his way.

Thomas Putnam, male 30-40s: A rich, unscrupulous farmer who is out to expand his land holdings by any means. He is manipulative, close-minded, and domineering. He expects everybody to respect him and accept his opinions.

Willard, male 30+: The village Marshal (in some scripts referred to as Marshal Herrick).

Ezekiel Cheever, male 30+: Becomes a servant of the court and gets quite full of his new-found importance, serving summons to those called by the court.

Francis Nurse, male 50+: A well-to-do, respected farmer and good friend of the Proctors. He is helpful toward his friends and active in the community. When he tries to stop the court's investigations, he is arrested.

Hopkins, male 30+: A guard in the jail ­ although only one line in the jail scene, he is present in other 2-3 other scenes.

Elizabeth Proctor, female 30-40s: John's wife and the mother of his three sons.  She is pregnant with a fourth child. Though she has become somewhat cold towards her husband on account of his liaison with Abigail, she greatly loves and respects him.

Abigail Williams, female 17-18: Reverend Parris' niece. An intelligent, resourceful, and highly mischievous girl of seventeen, Abigail is the natural leader of the other girls in Salem and leads them in accusing many of the town's citizens of witchcraft. She is also infatuated with Proctor and keen to take Elizabeth's place. Quick-thinking and highly manipulative, Abigail extricates herself from awkward situations and promotes her ends by bullying, subterfuge, and convincing acting.

Mary Warren, female 17-18: The young maidservant of the Proctors.  Although Mary is honest and well-intentioned toward the Proctors, when faced with the prospect of suffering, her sense of self-preservation overrides her natural goodness. She is very much afraid of Abigail and also does not want to be cut off from the other young girls.

Tituba, female 25-50: The slave of Reverend Parris, believed to be practicing witchcraft.  Came over with him from Barbados.

Ann Putnam, female 30-40s: Thomas Putnam's wife. A firm believer in witchcraft, she is convinced that her seven daughters died of unnatural causes. She is behind the midnight dance in the woods.  Also thought of as a bit of a town gossip.

Mercy Lewis, female 12-16: Young girl of Salem involved in the midnight dance in the woods.  Loyal follower of Abigail Williams.  Mercy is a servant of the Putnams.

Rebecca Nurse, female 50+: The wife of Francis Nurse. Rebecca volunteers as a midwife and is highly respected in Salem for her helpful nature. She is very firm in her opinions and willing to make any sacrifice in the cause of truth. She is accused of being a witch on the prompting of the Putnams, who are jealous of her good fortune. 

Betty Parris, female 10: Betty is the ten-year-old daughter of Reverend Parris young girls of Salem involved in the midnight dance in the woods.  Loyal follower of Abigail Williams, out of fear and a sense of allegiance.

Susanna Walcott, female 12-16: Works as a maid with Dr. Griggs young girls of Salem involved in the midnight dance in the woods.  Loyal follower of Abigail Williams,  both out of fear and a sense of allegiance.

Sarah Good, female 50+: A simple beggar woman falsely accused by Abigail and her friends of witchcraft (note ­ role may be played by same actress as Ann Putnam).

Martha Corey, female 50+: Voice only ­ heard offstage.  (note ­ role to be played by one of the females cast).