For Twelve Angry Jurors, we are bringing back the Story Theater Company blog - an opportunity for the community to get an inside look at our rehearsal process! During our last month leading up to performances, we will have designers and actors writing pieces that allow you to join us on this journey!
Our first two months of the rehearsal process have been incredible! I have had the privilege of watching the characters develop into convincing human beings with their own motivations, circumstances, and obstacles. The characters are truly coming to life and bringing me to the edge of my seat, even after the watching a scene for the fifteenth time.
One of the unique aspects of teen shows is that students ages 13-18 make up the production team and the cast. Each cast member is on one of four production teams - costumes, props, set, or dramaturgy. Every Saturday, we have a production workshop where the cast and production team work on the technical elements of the show.
For this show, our student production team leaders include Quinn Harbison (costume designer), Julia Divine and Jack Wanamaker (prop masters), Travis Cooper (set designer), and myself (stage manager). We are also led and mentored by a fantastic group of older theater makers, including Vivian Cook (director), Mat Wymore (technical director), Sarah Bennett (design mentor), and Lori Sulzberger (managing director).
Despite being set in the 1950’s, this play has been especially interesting to explore due to its relevance today. Ultimately, we have found that this play explores the way we treat one another. It has caused us to reflect on our own interactions, and we believe that this may be the case for the audience too. Among the specific issues that are discussed are justice, racism, and elitism.
I am so excited to see this rehearsal process continue to unfold, and I hope you are too! If you are interested, please check in for new blog posts weekly.
Ben Siegel
Stage Manager
