Twelve Angry Men Auditions at North Star Theater Company
North Star Theater Company will be holding auditions for the acclaimed play, “12 Angry Men” written by Reginald Rose, produced by Vicky Minardi, of Franklin and directed by Jim Berkheiser, of Vernon. Auditions will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 21 Kennedy Avenue in Ogdensburg on December 5-7, from 7 to 9 pm. Those auditioning may prepare a monologue to read or perform, however, sides will be provided.
“12 Angry Men” focuses on a jury's deliberations in a capital murder case. A 12-man jury is to begin deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of an 18-year-old man accused in the stabbing death of his father, where a guilty verdict means an automatic death sentence. The case appears to be open-and-shut. Eleven jurors immediately vote guilty; only Juror No. 8 casts a not guilty vote. As the deliberations unfold, the story quickly becomes a study of the jurors' complex personalities, preconceptions, backgrounds and interactions.
The performances of “12 Angry Men” will take place at Cornerstone Playhouse, located at 74 Main Street in Sussex. Show dates include Friday, February 14 and 21, at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, February 15 and 22, at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 16 and 23, at 2:00 p.m.
“The drama was selected because it aligns with North Star Theater Company’s mission to bring high quality theater to Sussex County. As well, I recognized this was an actors show. Each part contributes to the powerful storyline,” remarked Berkheiser.
The show consists of 14 people, with one character not visibly seen. The character breakdown includes the following:
JUROR 1 is the Foreman and responsible for keeping the jury organized, his main focus in the play. He is an assistant football coach outside of the jury room. (25-65)
JUROR 2 is a shy bank clerk who takes time to feel comfortable enough to participate in the discussion. (25-65)
JUROR 3 is a small business owner. He proudly says that he started his business from scratch and now employs thirty-four workers. We learn early on that he has a bad relationship with his son, with whom he is no longer speaking. We are led to believe that this is a contributing factor to his prejudice against the defendant, accused of stabbing his own father. He is the last to be convinced. (40-65)
JUROR 4 is a stock broker. He wears glasses and seems to handle himself with a very serious air. He deals with the facts of the case logically and concretely. (25-65)
JUROR 5 works in a Harlem hospital and says that he has lived in the slums his entire life. This gives him insight into such details as the use of a switchblade. (21-40)
JUROR 6 is a house painter, he is happy that the case continues as it means he doesn’t have to work, but is hesitant to put a potential killer back on the streets. He sticks up for Juror 9, an old man, and seems to be a respectful. (25-65)
JUROR 7's main concern in the case is whether or not it will end before his ball game, for which he has tickets, starts. He sells marmalade and is generally indifferent to the case. He changes his vote to “not guilty” simply because the tide of opinion switches, and he wants the deliberations to be over. (30-50)
JUROR 8 is the only juror who votes “not guilty” at the first vote. He is unhappy with the way the trial was handled and wants them to discuss the evidence in greater detail. Met with much opposition, he continues to advocate for the boy. We learn that he is an architect, by trade. (30-50)
JUROR 9 is an old man. He respects Juror 8's passion and sense of justice and quickly comes to his aid and becomes an advocate for the defendant. (70+)
JUROR 10 is one of the most fervent attackers of the defendant. Tactless and bigoted, he condemns the defendant as “one of them” right from the start. (40-60)
JUROR 11 is a German immigrant watchmaker. He is patriotic and talks about how much he loves the American justice system. (25-60)
JUROR 12 works for a marketing agency, to which job he refers to often. He seems constantly distracted from the case. (25-50)
GUARD assists at the door of the Jury Room by procuring the requested items of evidence for the jurors’ examination. (Any)
JUDGE is an offstage voice.
To learn more about North Star Theater Company, visit
www.northstartheater.org or follow on facebook at @NorthStarTheater.
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North Star Theater Company Boilerplate:
North Star Theater Company is in residence at Cornerstone Playhouse, in Sussex, New Jersey. North Star Theater Company provides an inclusive environment and a high-quality theatrical experience to Northwest New Jersey and the surrounding communities through the production of various dramas, comedies and musicals, while training and fostering the talents of all participants at any age and level of experience. Follow us at
www.northstartheater.org.
Cornerstone Playhouse Boilerplate:
Cornerstone Playhouse is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to presenting the Arts in the Greater Sussex County Area. Funding has been made available in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the State/County Partnership Block Grant Program, as administered by the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council. Additional funding is provided by the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders
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