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“When I first encountered The Crucible in high school, it was quite a challenge to get through,” Sadie Sink recalls with a chuckle. The young actress is taking the stage in the new Broadway play John Proctor Is the Villain, which is inspired by Arthur Miller’s renowned work from 1953. In this modern adaptation by Kimberly Belflower, Sink plays Shelby, a high school junior who returns to school during a crucial class discussion of The Crucible, all while her small Georgia community grapples with the repercussions of the #MeToo movement. Recently, Sink shared her insights with Gold Derby, diving into her character’s depth and her experience with Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
At just 23, Sink boasts impressive Broadway credentials, having appeared in the 2012 revival of Annie and sharing the stage with Helen Mirren in the Tony-winning play The Audience. “Performing on stage was an incredible experience; it really sparked my passion for acting,” she shares, noting her desire to deepen her connection to the craft as she transitions into adulthood. After wrapping up the final season of Netflix’s Stranger Things and starring alongside Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser in The Whale, she viewed John Proctor Is the Villain as the “perfect challenge.” Sink explains her attraction to the project: “It felt like important work that needed to reach a wide audience.” She considers it among the most rewarding projects she has ever undertaken.
Audiences are introduced to Shelby gradually in John Proctor, as playwright Belflower allows them to become acquainted with other characters and their perceptions of Shelby before she makes her entrance. When she does arrive, Sink delivers a memorable and humorous line. “The text really supports you. The lines are powerful and entertaining,” she reflects, appreciating the audience’s reactions. She also praises the playwright’s vision, as the audience’s perceptions are shaped by the pre-existing views formed by other characters prior to Shelby’s introduction.
SEE ‘John Proctor Is the Villain’ reviews acclaim ‘explosive’ play and Sink’s ‘body blow of a performance’
Sink describes Shelby as a character whose thoughts race ahead of her speech, an aspect that shines through in her vibrant performance, while also revealing moments of thoughtful introspection. In a crucial scene, Shelby’s classmate Mason (Nihar Duvvuri) reads John Proctor’s poignant final monologue from The Crucible. At this moment, Shelby, who has distanced herself from her peers, listens intently, and the audience witnesses the internal turmoil depicted in Sink’s expression. “That segment of the play is incredibly layered; it’s something we uncovered naturally in rehearsals,” the Critics Choice Award nominee shares. She elaborates that there’s a “lightbulb switch” moment for Shelby, indicating deeper emotions are triggered, some of which may not be immediately apparent to the audience.
A central relationship in the play is that between Shelby and her estranged former best friend, Raelynn, played by Amalia Yoo. As the story unfolds, their paths lead them back together. In a powerful scene, Shelby reveals a personal truth, and Raelynn’s immediate belief in her offers profound solace. “All Shelby truly wants is to feel seen and acknowledged. Her quest isn’t about retribution but rather about being supported by her closest friend,” Sink explains. This moment is personally significant for the actress as well, stating, “Hearing Amalia deliver that line every night serves as a comforting breath for Shelby.” The scene further transitions into a lively exchange of laughter, which can be a challenge to sustain nightly, depending on their energy levels, “but we strive to keep the humor fresh and spontaneous,” Sink remarks.
The final act features a notable moment as Shelby and Raelynn channel their experiences into an interpretive dance inspired by The Crucible, accompanied by music from Lorde. Sink reveals that her understanding of a climactic line evolves with each performance, saying, “You might think repetitive performances dull the material, yet I’ve discovered new layers and emotions with continued exploration.” She emphasizes that the moment culminates in an intense physical release for Shelby, crediting director Danya Taymor’s artful staging for its beauty, adding, “It all harmonizes beautifully in the end.”
Sink expresses that while the role is demanding, she laughs, “I’m holding up well” performing it eight times a week. “It’s refreshingly cathartic,” she reflects, noting the unique combination of physical exertion and emotional intensity that Shelby embodies, which she hopes resonates with the audience. Sink also emphasizes her aspiration for young viewers to see the show, wishing for them to take away the message that “these girls can transform their circumstances, harnessing hope to create change, even if just momentarily.”
Just a short distance from John Proctor Is the Villain lies another Broadway production linked to Sink: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which serves as a prequel to the Netflix series where she plays a prominent role. This play explores the origins of Henry Creel, whose dark alter ego Vecna presents a memorable conflict with Sink’s character Max in the series’ fourth season. “It’s surreal to see a piece of Stranger Things right across the street,” the actress shares, celebrating it as an “incredible production” and noting, “The visual effects are unlike anything I’ve encountered on stage—truly impressive.”
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