Mercer Theatre to stage manufacturing of ’12 Offended Jurors’

Mercer Theatre invitations the viewers into the jury room as a dozen women and men resolve the destiny of a younger homicide suspect in “12 Offended Jurors.” 

The play, which opens Feb. 16 at Tattnall Sq. Middle for the Arts, particulars the jurors’ deliberations and explores the stereotypes and prejudices every individual holds. 

“It’s a story about our justice system and the Americans who’re chosen for our juries on a regular basis. It is usually a commentary on the strengths and flaws inside that system due to those self same juries,” mentioned Director Sheri Gilbert-Wilson, a Mercer College alumna and adjunct professor of theater. “As a result of we’re human beings, we all the time come into any scenario with our personal prejudices, our personal points, our personal preconceptions or misconceptions. … 

“This play shines a lightweight on how if we actually simply take into consideration information with out our coloured judgement and put our personal points apart, it’s extra seemingly we are going to truly come to goal settlement. On this means we generally is a very highly effective and constructive a part of our justice system.” 

Written by Reginald Rose, the courtroom drama debuted in 1954 as the tv play “Twelve Offended Males” and has been remade a number of occasions for movie, TV and the stage. In a contemporary twist, Mercer Theatre’s model consists of video of witness testimony recorded in a courtroom on the Faculty of Legislation with legislation college students appearing because the witnesses and attorneys. 

All through the play, viewers members will be taught slightly about every character, and so they could depart studying one thing about themselves.  

“We’re going to attempt to create an environment within the ‘deliberation room’ that’s intimate. Theatre within the spherical offers this intimate feeling,” Gilbert-Wilson mentioned. “Moreover, upon entry every viewers member can be thought of a jury member, and they’re anticipated to concentrate and in addition vote on the defendant’s guilt or innocence on the finish of the play.”

As viewers members enter the theater, they are going to be given a jury lanyard, small pocket book and pencil to take notes if they want. 

Gilbert-Wilson graduated from Mercer’s School of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2013 with an undergraduate diploma in theater arts. Since then, she’s acted in impartial movies and began a theater arts ministry at her church. In 2022, she earned a Grasp of Effective Arts in classical appearing from George Washington College in affiliation with the Shakespeare Theatre Firm. 

All through this time, Gilbert-Wilson stayed in touch with Scot Mann, affiliate professor and director of the theater program at Mercer. Final yr, he reached out and provided her the chance to show an introduction to appearing class on the College this semester. 

“I used to be so excited and glad as a result of I really loved my time at Mercer. It was such a enjoyable but difficult program,” Gilbert-Wilson mentioned. “To have the ability to come again and train at my alma mater and direct their first spring manufacturing is an excellent alternative and undoubtedly a dream come true.” 

Mercer Theatre will carry out “12 Offended Jurors” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16-18; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25; and a pair of:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets are $10 with Mercer ID and $15 common admission. Get advance tickets by calling the field workplace at (478) 301-5470 or visiting tickets.mercer.edu.