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Not your typical crime thriller, this upcoming play tells the story of jurors deciding the fate of a convicted murderer. Bringing a fresh take on the drama program, director Mr. Demarco has many plans for this spectacular production.Set to showcase on Nov. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, the show will interact with audiences through a student-interpreted pre-show providing context about the case.
Captivating young audiences by seeing their peers take on a more serious and mature role, this play will modernize a classic for young audiences by updating language and characters while maintaining core themes of conflict, resolution and collaboration.“I wanted to find something of the head of an ensemble aspect to it, that it was a group of people together doing something rather than one person,” Director Demarco said.
Modernizing the 1957 movie, Twelve Angry Men, this performance will be showcased under the iridescent lights of South’s Auditorium. Commonly, plays have set and costume changes, though 12 Angry Jurors will have one set, keeping you focused on the story the entire time.“This one is different because everyone’s on stage the whole time. It is a cast, all cultures are in the room.” Stage Manager Ella Johnson ’24 said.
Crew participation is less intricate in this production. There is an emphasis on definiteness and details of the cast, never seen before in a traditional South play.“It is very different from when we had to change scenes. We had to focus more on costuming, but this is more strictly about your acting skills, he cast is more there. So this is less of a crew involvement.” Crew member Jordan Rice ’27 said.
As participants take on a more serious role, the cast members grow their acting skills in and out of rehearsal.Brady Baurbor ’26 often lightens the room with his bubbly personality, though things got more sophisticated for this role.“It had helped me with not laughing on stage and such.” Cast member Barbour said.Learning lines, lack of scene changes, and projection challenges have made this a fantastic learning experience for a young actor like himself.“I am more present,” Barbour said.
A non-traditional play like this will assist the audience in gaining a new perspective on what it is to watch a courtroom production.“You see the cops doing the stuff or you see the lawyers doing the stuff but you get to see the jurors in this and see their process behind what is the crime.” Johnson ’24 said.
Students and parents alike will relate to this play. Those who have watched 12 Angry Men will especially enjoy the modern twist South’s students have put on it.“It’s relevant to anyone who wants to think about or have conversations about what we think we know and don’t know,” Demarco said. “Who has been a part of a conversation on the same conversation for people who have not treated each other well. Someone has felt like he or she is the only one who has a certain opinion. And you think you’re in crazy town, you can understand why everybody else is thinking this way.”
After rehearsing all fall, the cast is ready to showcase their hard work.“I think the story has a lot of good stuff about how to get along with each other, about solving problems together. What to do when there is an us versus them mentality.” Demarco said.
