Twelve Angry Men
by Reginald Rose and adapted by Sherman Sergel, will be performed as
Twelve
Angry Jurors, and directed by Will Smith. The play
will be performed
as a mixed cast version, meaning no role is gender specific. Cast
roles are simply Juror #1, Juror #2 and so forth. So any and all roles are
open to ANYONE who wants to audition for them.
Juror #9, however, is more of an older man or woman. And while all
other roles are not race identified, Juror #6 can be considered Latino or
Latina. Character description are below.
NOTES ON CHARACTER
Foreman/Juror #1: Small and petty. Impressed with the
authority he/she has and handles himself/herself quite formally. Not overly
bright, but dogged.
Juror #2: Meek and hesitant. Finds it difficult to
maintain any opinions of his/her own. Easily swayed and usually adopts the
opinion of the last person to whom he/she has spoken.
Juror #3: Very strong, very forceful, and extremely
opinionated. A streak of sadism can be detected. Humorless and intolerant of
opinions other than his/her own. Accustomed to forcing his/her wishes and
views upon others.
Juror #4: Seemingly someone
of wealth and position; a practical speaker who presents his/herself
well at all times. Seems to feel a little bit above the rest of the jurors.
His/Her only concern is with the facts in this case and is appalled with the
behavior of the others.
Juror #5: Naive, very frightened young man or woman who
takes obligations in the case very seriously but who finds it difficult to
speak up when his/her elders have the floor.
Juror #6: Honest, but dull witted. Comes upon decisions
slowly and carefully. Someone who finds it difficult to create positive
opinions, but who must listen to and digest and accept those opinions
offered by others which most appeal to him/her.
Juror #7: Loud and flashy; glad-handed sales person who
has more important things to do than to sit on a jury. He/She is quick to
show temper and equally quick to form opinions on things about which he/she
knows nothing. He/She is a bully, and, of course, a coward.
Juror #8: Quiet, thoughtful, gentle. Someone who sees
all sides of every question and constantly seeks the truth. He/She is a
person of strength tempered with compassion. Above all, a man or woman who
wants justice to be done, and will fight to see that it is.
Juror# 9: Mild, gentle, elderly. Long since defeated by
life, and now merely waiting to die. He/She recognizes him/herself for what
he/she is, and mourns the days when it would have been possible to be
courageous without shielding him/herself behind his/her many years.
Juror # 10: Angry, bitter. Someone who antagonizes
almost at sight. Also a bigot who places no values on any human life. Has
been nowhere, going nowhere and knows it deep within.
Jury #11: A refugee from Europe. Speaks with an accent
(most likely Eastern European). Clearly intelligent, but ashamed and
humbled, almost subservient to the people around him/her. Will honestly seek
justice because he/she has suffered through so much injustice.
Juror #12: A slick, bright man or woman in advertising.
Someone who thinks of human beings in terms of percentages, graphs and
polls, and has no real understanding of people. He/She is a superficial
snob, but trying to be likable.
Guard: This is a bit part. Can be any adult age.
Judge and Clerk: mature offstage voices
