Performance Review: : Avery B., 12 Angry Jurors

Performance Review : 12 Angry Jurors

 

I attended this performance in the afternoon showing during school (October 30^th 2015 5^th and 6^th hours). The performance was called 12 Angry Jurors. It was set in the back conference room of a courthouse and the jurors discussed the trial at hand. It was written by Reginald Rose. This performance put on by some select students of Henry Clay High School was directed by Kristian Junker and Keifer Schuler. The crew consisted of Mikaela Gatewood as Stage Manager, Emily Salamanca as Crew Manager, Samantha Schuler as Assistant Stage Manager, Noah Welch as the cellist and as Props and Sets facilitators, Megan Andrews and Morgan Lakofka.

                For the monotone mood and lack of movement throughout this play the plain and stationary lighting was quite appropriate. The white lighting was dimmed for the transition between cello solo and scenes as well as during scene changes and intermission transitions.       

                With the limited stage space available the actors and directors made the best staging and placing decisions. The stage had two tables placed in the shape of a “V”. That way the actors could all be seen, heard, and still perform what the plot required. The back drop was a white wall as well as a window and a window and a door to the courtroom. The door was used mainly by the guard to bring the jurors into the room and then to collect the verdict.

                Throughout the course of the plot the Jurors (played by Jade Curless, Emily Crum, Isabel Jenkins, Jade Kropp, Ian Harrison, Maya Creamer, Alyssa Payton, Raiffa Syamil, Rebekah George, Emily Spencer, Crysta Muis, Isabelle Rinker, Gloria Dietz, and Kaitlyn Rutherford) are debating whether or not a man is guilty of murder. You can tell that some actors are more invested and more experienced on stage in front of an audience and some haven’t had that much practice in live performances. There’s

 

always an apparent distinction between the seasoned actors and actresses and the less experienced ones and you can definitely distinguish between the two in this performance. Overall I rate this performance a 6 of 10. The main figures in the plot played their part well and its safe to assume that they were chosen for those roles based on their superb acting ability. But it doesn’t have a higher rating because of the lack of setting change and the acting ability as a cast average.