Mira Costa to Present 'Twelve Angry Jurors'
Oct 08, 2017 10:40AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Left to right: Allison Hanna, Shelby Friedman, Stephanie Sala, Jack Drinker, Emma Gray, Brinn Borowsky, Jack Gebele, Sophi Boylan, Natalie Dreger, Will Martens, Lilly Fuller, Scott Baxter, Kavita Sarathy, Sofia Aguirre
Tackling issues of preconception, intolerance, and justice, the Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech Department will present the courtroom thriller "Twelve Angry Jurors" on October 12, 13, and 14.
In the play, adapted from Reginald Rose's original 1954 teleplay "Twelve Angry Men," a jury must decide whether a 19-year-old man is guilty of murdering his father. The jury votes 11-1 that the man is guilty of the crime, but the jury needs a unanimous vote to secure a conviction. Tempers flare as the eleven jurors try their best to convince the lone dissenter to come around to their side. Yet as the evidence is re-examined, new uncertainties come to light, forcing everyone to truly question if there is, in fact, some measure of "reasonable doubt."
"The most exciting thing about this to me is the timelessness of the themes," said director Cathy Shambley-Baer, noting that Mira Costa version of the play will be set fifty years ago, in 1967 in Chicago. "Fifty years have gone by and we are still grappling with the same issues - bias and pre-judging."
Shambley-Baer added that the play brings up a lot of issues that have given the students reason to be thoughtful and reflective. "You come to realize that everything you decide is a combination of what the highest part of you wants to do, and your own baggage. You bring your history with you," she said.
However, she said, hearing the students work through the issues gives her hope for the future. "These are really intelligent kids who have a lot to say. When I hear them discuss what's going on, I get this feeling that things are going to be OK."
Producing a play in the middle of October, when school has only just started seven weeks earlier, means that all of the players need to get up to speed quickly. But with veteran director Shambley-Baer, the students say, they have had a chance to dig deeply into their characters' feelings and motivations.
Senior Jack Drinker, who plays Juror # 7, added that he hopes the end result will be thought-provoking.
"I think people are going to be thinking about it afterwards," said Drinker. "I definitely think people will forget that it is a high school production."
Performances will be held at the Mira Costa High School New Theater on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Due to limited seating in the theater, tickets will be sold for specific dates and times. Pre-sale tickets are being sold at http://www.miracostadramaboosters.org/ for $13/adult and $11 student/senior. Tickets at the box office will be $15/adult, $12 student/senior.
Mira Costa's Drama/Tech Department will also perform The Diviners - an "American Gothic prairie melodrama" - beginning on November 3.
In the play, adapted from Reginald Rose's original 1954 teleplay "Twelve Angry Men," a jury must decide whether a 19-year-old man is guilty of murdering his father. The jury votes 11-1 that the man is guilty of the crime, but the jury needs a unanimous vote to secure a conviction. Tempers flare as the eleven jurors try their best to convince the lone dissenter to come around to their side. Yet as the evidence is re-examined, new uncertainties come to light, forcing everyone to truly question if there is, in fact, some measure of "reasonable doubt."
"The most exciting thing about this to me is the timelessness of the themes," said director Cathy Shambley-Baer, noting that Mira Costa version of the play will be set fifty years ago, in 1967 in Chicago. "Fifty years have gone by and we are still grappling with the same issues - bias and pre-judging."
Shambley-Baer added that the play brings up a lot of issues that have given the students reason to be thoughtful and reflective. "You come to realize that everything you decide is a combination of what the highest part of you wants to do, and your own baggage. You bring your history with you," she said.
However, she said, hearing the students work through the issues gives her hope for the future. "These are really intelligent kids who have a lot to say. When I hear them discuss what's going on, I get this feeling that things are going to be OK."
Producing a play in the middle of October, when school has only just started seven weeks earlier, means that all of the players need to get up to speed quickly. But with veteran director Shambley-Baer, the students say, they have had a chance to dig deeply into their characters' feelings and motivations.
Senior Jack Drinker, who plays Juror # 7, added that he hopes the end result will be thought-provoking.
"I think people are going to be thinking about it afterwards," said Drinker. "I definitely think people will forget that it is a high school production."
Performances will be held at the Mira Costa High School New Theater on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Due to limited seating in the theater, tickets will be sold for specific dates and times. Pre-sale tickets are being sold at http://www.miracostadramaboosters.org/ for $13/adult and $11 student/senior. Tickets at the box office will be $15/adult, $12 student/senior.
Mira Costa's Drama/Tech Department will also perform The Diviners - an "American Gothic prairie melodrama" - beginning on November 3.
