- April 25, 2024
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Matthew Eaton, juror 10, during a dress rehearsal. Photo by Paige Wilson
Juror 8 Michael Sheehan during a dress rehearsal. Photo by Paige Wilson
Alexis Baca, juror 4, and Rachel Kopp, juror 2, rehearse. Photo by Paige Wilson
The cast of "12 Angry Jurors." Photo by Paige Wilson
Juror 12 Izzy Bethea during a dress rehearsal. Photo by Paige Wilson
Juror 8 Michael Sheehan during a dress rehearsal. Photo by Paige Wilson
A play about the law and justice will take the stage at Matanzas High School, as the Pirate Players will perform “12 Angry Jurors,” adapted by Sherman L. Sergel, based on the Emmy award-winning television movie by Reginald Rose.
“This play is all about reasonable doubt and convicting a 19-year-old Puerto Rico boy who’s accused of killing his father, with no evidence,” artist director and instructor Noël Bethea said. “The jurors just want to get out of here, but one juror says, ‘Hey, let’s take a moment and think about this. This man’s life is at stake.’”
To make the play easier to digest, the school’s culinary program, with instructor Lisa Kittrell, will be serving up at 1950s-style dinner for the audience during the shows, which will be held in the MHS cafeteria. Adding to the student involvement, the set was built by the MHS construction flagship students.
Sophomore Joshua Jeffers was the student director who worked alongside Bethea to help direct the show. He said he’s enjoyed learning how to better articulate ideas to actors.
Audience members will participate by voting for the fate of the 19-year-old defendant.
“During the intermissions and when the food comes out, we’re interacting with the audience and they’re interacting with us,” Jeffers said.
The play’s themes of justice and getting all the facts before you make assumptions are still relevant to today’s culture too, Bethea said.
“It’s a great play because it kind of shows how one opinion can shape everyone else’s just by talking things out and understanding and listening to each other,” Jeffers said.
