Witch Hunt 2.0

Witchhunt 2.0 is a sharp and darkly funny exploration of how quickly truth unravels when fear, power, and social pressure collide—online and off. Set against the backdrop of a high school speech team preparing a dramatic presentation on the Salem Witch Trials, this layered one-act blurs the lines between past and present as the students’ own behavior begins to mirror the historical injustices they’re performing. What starts as petty rivalry and social media snark quickly spirals into accusations, manipulation, and mob mentality, with reputations—and lives—on the line.

Through rapid-fire dialogue, theatrical vignettes, and increasingly blurred timelines, the play lays bare the toxic power of rumor, the pressure to perform perfection, and the terrifying ease with which a community turns on its own. As a team fights to win a prestigious competition, their trust fractures, their teacher falls under scrutiny, and one student disappears into isolation with devastating consequences. This haunting play is a searing indictment of digital-age judgment, and a rallying cry to recognize the humanity behind every headline.

Duration: 40 Min
Roles: 8F, 3M (Can be done with as few as 9 actors with doubling. Optional Ensemble.)
Performance Group: High School, Community Theater
Setting: A Stage. An Office.