12 Angry Jurors

Professional photos by Antoinette Newcomer Photography

12 Angry Jurors

Based on the Emmy award winning television movie by Reginald Rose

Adapted by Sherman L. Sergel

Produced by with special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company

Publisher’s Synopsis:

On a hot summer day after a long trial, 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 laws in the United States require a unanimous vote by all 12 jurors in order to pass judgment. Tempers flare as the eleven jurors try their best to convince the 1 dissenter to come around to their side. As the evidence is re-examined, however, new uncertainties come to light, forcing everyone to truly question if there is in fact some measure of "reasonable doubt". Twelve Angry Jurors is a heightened courtroom thriller that puts you on the edge of your site while powerfully exploring what it means to live in a democracy.

dress rehearsal photos by Marsha West

Role Descriptions:

·       Foreman/One: A small, petty person who is impressed with the authority he/she has and handles themselves quite formally. Not overly bright, but dogged.

·       2nd Juror: A meek, hesitant person who finds it difficult to speak his own thoughts for fear for being shouted down by the more powerful personalities in the room.

·       3rd Juror: A very strong, very forceful, extremely opinionated person, humorless and intolerant of opinions other than their own; at the same time, a deeply wounded individual who tries to hide their pain behind a loud voice.

·       4th Juror: Seems to be a woman of wealth and position, and a practiced speaker who presents herself well at all times. Her only concern is with the facts of the case and is often the voice of reason and logic when fights break out amongst the others.

·       5th Juror: A younger woman from the slums who identifies with the young man on trial more than she would like to admit. Naive, very frightened who takes their obligations in this case very serious, but finds it difficult to speak up when elders have the floor.

·       6th Juror: An honest individual who comes upon her decisions slowly and carefully. A blue-collar worker who states her opinions honestly and bluntly.

·       7th Juror: A loud, flashy, glad-handed salesman who has more important things to do than to sit in a jury. Quick to show temper and equally quick to form opinions on things about which they know nothing.

·       8th Juror: A quiet, thoughtful individual. A man who sees all sides of every question and constantly seeks the truth. Strength tempered with compassion. Above all, he is a person who wants justice to be done and will fight to see that it is.

·       9th Juror: An old woman. Gentle, mild, and long since defeated by life. She recognizes herself for what she is and tries to be the voice of experience and wisdom in the room.

·       10th Juror: A bully and a bigot; angry and bitter who antagonizes others while having no value on any human life but her own. Here is a woman who has been nowhere and is going nowhere, and knows it deep within themselves.

·       11th Juror: A refugee from Europe who came to this country as a young adult. She speaks with an accent, and is a humble and quiet. Very polite and calm, and believes very strongly in the American ideal and in the Justice System, because she has suffered through so much injustice.

·       12th Juror: A slick, bright advertising woman who tries to do the right thing, but is used to being overwhelmed by people with louder, brighter ideas. Thinks of human beings in terms of percentages, graphs, and polls, and has no real understanding of people. She is a superficial snob, but is trying to be companionable.

·       Judge (& swing): Opening monologue as the judge setting the scene. As swing, this actor fills in for absences of all roles during rehearsals, and is prepared to jump in on performance nights if needed.

·       Guard (& swing): Appears a handful of times as a police woman of the court. 

·       Swing: Fills in for absences of all roles during rehearsals, and is prepared to jump in on performance nights if needed.