Production of “Witch” showcases students’ love for the stage

The Lehigh Department of Theater explored the moral debate of acceptable compromises to achieve dark desires in the reimagined Jacobean production of “Witch.”

In the Diamond Theater at Zoellener Arts Center, the play follows several characters, one being an outcast woman labeled as a witch in her quiet village, who meets a devilish salesman seeking people’s souls in exchange for granting their wishes. 

As the show progresses, the witch and devil grow fond of each other and become increasingly vulnerable.

Their relationship becomes central to their character arcs as they explore their identities, personal values and perspectives on the world.

Through the production, student actors, directors and crew members brought the story’s complex characters and themes to life, drawing on their previous experiences, collaboration and shared passion for the stage.

Kayla LC Yee, ‘28, the assistant director of the play, said she wanted to be part of the production after learning the story and its unique combination of comedy and darker themes. 

LC Yee has been involved in the performing arts since she was 5 years old and has taken directing classes at Lehigh. Eventually, she hopes to be the main director for a Lehigh mainstage production. 

Jessie Dean, an acting and directing professor, directed the play and oversaw the production’s creative process.

LC Yee primarily worked with the cast, leading warm-ups and helping actors prepare their best performances. 

She also closely observed the actors during rehearsals, taking notes on adjustments and exercises to further improve the cast’s renditions. 

“I would sit with Jessie and take notes on things I observed, things I wanted to try,” LC Yee said. “She would have me share it with the actors to give the exercise or adjustment or the note a try.” 

One challenge with the production was the absence of microphones in a large theater.

“There are no mics, and so it’s tough for all 300 seats to be able to understand every actor’s words very clearly, so that was something from the beginning of the rehearsal process that Jessie and I wanted to make sure to integrate into the rehearsal process,” LC Yee said.

Lead actors included Mars Ko, ‘28, who played Scratch, the devilish salesman, and Tamarra Ramirez, ‘28, the actor behind the witch, Elizabeth.

According to Ko, LC Yee cast the lead actors opposite each other, though it wasn’t their first production together.

“‘Earnest’ (produced by the Department of Theater in spring 2026), is when we really started forming our partnership because she was playing opposite scene partners with me,” Ko said. “She was Miss Prism, and I was Dr. Chasuble, who were romantic interests.”

Their previous experience working together helped Ko and Ramirez naturally play off each other during the play, particularly in more emotional scenes where they embrace each other.

Ramirez said Dean made significant changes to the ending to elevate several emotional scenes throughout rehearsals, and the process was a collaborative effort that allowed cast members to contribute feedback to her vision.

“Even if you don’t always agree with the director, try it out because a lot of the time the director knows exactly what they’re doing,” Ramirez said. “When you just try out the thing, you’ll find out that the new way that the director wants it to happen works a lot better than it was originally.”

Ko also described Dean as a motivational figure who encouraged the cast to improve their performances. 

“Jessie is lovely, and she always makes me push harder than I’ve ever pushed,” Ko said. “Sometimes I feel I’m not going far enough, and Jessie would help me push myself in the right direction.”

Ramirez, Ko and Yee said they were pleased with the production and felt it had a positive reception. 

All three said they plan to remain involved in future Lehigh theater productions.

“It’s such a transformative kind of hobby that you feel like you’re a new person every time you take another level,” Ko said. “That might just be me, but that’s how I see it.”