Thanks to the refurbishment of Bill Williams Auditorium, when “12 Angry Jurors” opens on April 25, audience members will be seated mere feet from the actors in the Commons.
“We don’t know what the situation is yet,” teacher and director Chris Evans said regarding the improvements soon to be made on the auditorium. “I know we are looking for more money that way. The stuff that needs to get done in here is going to take some scratch, so now we’re in a ‘let’s do what we can, while we can do it’ mode,
So expect something to happen.”
A few cast members shared some thoughts about being in the Commons for the production of the show.
“I think the only issue is that the Commons is like the void when you’re speaking. The sound just goes up instead of out because it’s a more confined area,” sophomore Bri Bray said. “I think what I’m really more nervous about is the feeling of the audience being so close.”
Junior Bri Srb agrees that performing in the Commons presents a challenge.
“It’s definitely going to be a lot different, considering the audience is going to be so close to you, but I’ve never performed something like that. I think it’s going to be a really fun challenge,” she said.
Even though the Commons poses its challenges, Evans said he has always wanted to perform in the open space.
“I saw a version of “12 Angry Jurors,” and it was a Russian film that did it in a sports supply room in a school,” Evans said. “I thought, ‘I want a play like that,’ and so I took a look at the Commons. It’s got enough space, it’s unique enough, and nothing’s been done in the Commons before.”
When looking at the cast, it is always nice to see some actors who have not been in a play before, such as Sophomore Brendan Willmarth, Senior Kylie Boutain, Sophomore Samantha Braaten, and Emery Eubanks.
Evans offers insight into how he attracts new actors into the department.
“I think they find out I am not a really mean guy. We are not doing Shakespeare all the time. We are doing shows that have zombies in it, and throw in a musical,” he said. “This isn’t their father or mother’s drama department anymore. This is something that they have a voice in. So yeah, that is how I get their attention.”
The cast was asked what their favorite parts in the play are.
“I am glad I am not crazy in this one,” Srb said. “I was a little cuckoo in the other ones.”
She portrayed a crazy lady in “Dead Highway.”
“Now [the character’s] description is calm, and she does not have opinions. I think that’s kind of nice to be a normal person for once,” she said.
Actor Jonas Hibbs, a sophomore, also is pleased with his character’s attitude.
“I think I fit this role well, and the Evanses think so, too. I get to be a little snarky, and that sounds delightful,” Hibbs said.
As for Bray, one moment in “12 Angry Jurors” stands out from the rest.
“I really like in the end of Act 1, where Juror #3 goes ballistic and shouts, ‘I’m going to kill you’ to Juror #8. I don’t know, I thought that was just a huge impact on what the play is going to be more about, and I feel like I like it,” Bray said. “It captures the audience’s attention more.”
