Director’s Note
In staging this quintessential piece of modern American drama, we started off with a core question – what does this play actually require in order to work? This staunch bastion of stage & screen, which many folks are exposed to incidentally, in some form or another, has both been overexposed and underexplored. Everything is taken for granted - The table represents an inherent faith that all those invited to deliberate will be treated fairly and equally in the eyes of the justice system; the chairs, in turn, allow participants to become passive observers in a machine of apathy rather than active agents. Neither of these guiding elements represent the story that needs to be told right now – the “surface area” of those benefited or made comfortable by the law has been whittled down to almost nothing, and every single person in the room has the power to stand and protect what they view is right.
By taking a sedentary drama and putting it on its feet, the goal is to reflect the discontent that permeates virtually all modern political discourse, by way of “Protective Anger v. Persecutive Anger”. Through this contemporary lens, and by featuring a diverse cast (who have been instrumental in this production), we hope to breathe new life into some long-neglected narrative.
-Aven Hagen Grote
Twelve Angry Jurors first premiered as a one-hour television special for Studio One on CBS in 1954, titled Twelve Angry Men. Reginald Rose, winning the 1954 Emmy for the script, found inspiration from a jury deliberation he served on for a similar case. Since then, it has had many adaptations for both film and stage. In 1955, Sherman L. Sergel wrote the stage adaptation, which premiered in San Francisco, and in 1957, the second film adaptation starring Henry Fonda solidified this piece as a work of art to be remembered and analyzed for years to come. Twelve Angry Jurors holds up a mirror to the American jury system, highlighting its flaws; specifically, the racial and wealth prejudices and disparities within the American justice system. It asks what a human life is worth, and how bias, prejudice, and privilege can shape people’s beliefs. The play is a cautionary tale on how one’s privilege can turn into prejudice when it is all one knows. Twelve Angry Men was relevant when it was written and is still relevant today. Twelve Angry Jurors, an adaptation in title acknowledging women gaining the right to serve on juries in state cases across the US in 1973. In our current social and political climate, one must be aware of how checks and balances can sometimes fail, but all it takes is one individual to ensure they work. The play brings a sense of optimism about the American justice system but still provides a lesson that the system can fail if biases and prejudices go unchecked and unchallenged.
Kyle Crowne……………………………………. Foreman
Jennah Sidiabed……………………………… Juror Two
Brett Womack…………………….………….. Juror Three
Elias Collier…………………………….………...Juror Four
Ky/Onyx Dermott……………………….……... Juror Five
Isiah Clayton…………………………….………..Juror Six
Olivia Wilson………………………………....Juror Seven
Dae’Quon Shines……………………………. Juror Eight
Emma Howard………………………………... Juror Nine
Raven Stack……………………………….……. Juror Ten
Nolwenn Favre………………………………….Juror Eleven
Sharon Cho………………………………………Juror Twelve
Elise LeGault………………………… U/S Juror Four/Two
Felisha Cuenca…………………. U/S Juror Eleven/Five
Production Team
Aven Hagen Grote………………………….….. Director
E Griggs……………………………….. Assistant Director
Katie Rowe…………………………………… Dramaturg
Emma Mitchell ……….………………...Stage Manager
Tess Tsolis…………………….. Assistant Stage Manager
Brianna Sullivan……………. Assistant Stage Manager
Carrie Cox……………….………… Scenic Coordinator
Stephan Starling…………….... Properties Coordinator
Grae Horner……………………….…. Lighting Designer
Holly Pulsifer……………………. Costume Coordinator
Lorelei Stuart…………………………… Sound Designer
Mimsi Janis……………………………….. Fight/Intimacy
Lena Salins………………….……. Production Manager
Micah Stromberg
Carrie Cox
Stephan Starling
Ethan Osborne
Maddie Southard
Vika Hearne
Adrienne Krauel
Laurel Dunayer
Arts Support Umbrella
ASU Production Manager
Technical Director
Assistant Technical Director
Scene Shop Supervisor
Lead Carpenter
Properties Artisan
Scenic Paint Overhire
Costume Shop Supervisor
Sarah Alspach… Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor
Alexandra Beverina
Luisa Romero
Tom Terlecki
Costume Shop Assistant
Costume Shop Assistant/Wardrobe
TheaterSpace Technical Director
Crew
Kai Yoffee
Cady Denk
Light Board Op
Sound Board Op
Scene Shop Interns
Margaret Kennedy
Bertem Demirtas
Anna Jungkeit
Sanjay Nagar
Kai Yoffe
Clayton Ives
Rachel Leary
Production Interns
Luna Jones
Mary Clare Bernier
Ann Tran
Andy Brown
Paint Intern
Production Intern
...Production Intern
Production Intern
Production Intern
Properties Intern
Properties Intern
*Special Thanks: Nicholas Koch, Ian Candy, Adia Spezza, Jax Berg, Lochlan Hagerty, and Jackie House
Lighting Intern
Lighting Intern
Sound Intern
Production Management Intern
Costume Shop Interns
Anna Grace Connole
Shannon Harrell
Eli Nguyen
Holly Pulsifer
Brianna Zawicki
Scene Shop Construction Practicums
Sharon Cho
Kyle Crowne
Carmine Degregorio
Katie Murchison
Isabel Nemati
Scene Shop Volunteer Artisans
Anna Crowley
Dee-Anne M. Van Tassel
Lewis Van Tassel
Tess Tsolis
Gifts made between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025
Angel ($5,000 +)
Estate of Frank William Johns
Sponsor ($2,500-$4,999)
Judy Canyock
Edward Jones
Mack and Paulette Miller
Patron ($1,000-$2,499)
Anonymous
Susan J. Aitel and Jonathan Goldman
Mrs. Jacqueline A. Austin
Dianne and Gerard Blais
Dr. Joy R. Hughes and Mr. Kenneth Lee
Dr. Peter N. Stearns and Ms. Donna L. Kidd
Producer ($500-$999)
Rick Davis and Julie Thompson
Roland and Victoria Fabia
Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati and Mr. Amin Neshati
Don and Sonja Palomaki
Robert and Ida Portland
Norma Jean Reck
Rachel and Theodore Winograd
Performer ($200-$499)
Country Club of Fairfax Charity Foundation
Dan and Jean Feighery
Linda and Shelly Gersten
Emily and Bill Rusch
Mr. and Mrs. Kosmo Tatalias
Friend (up to $199)
Anonymous
Stacey Hall
Linda and Harlan Harber
Alice and Matt Magelssen-Green
Sharon and Tom Morris
Carissa O'Neill
Kaitlyn Cookson Ormesher
Paula Powell
Emily Roudebush
Kirsten Smith
Rebecca Wahls
Joan R. White
Sheila Woods Faculty
Elizabeth Alman
Kelly Armstrong
Djola Branner
Rick Davis
Kevin Dunayer
Vince Eisenson
David Gaines
Erin Gardiner
James Gardiner
Ed Gero
Jennifer Hopkins
Nicholas Kfoury Horner
Billy Kessinger
Ahmad Maaty
Mimsi Janis
Kaiulani Lee
Kristin Johnsen-Neshati
Heather McDonald
Jonathan Dahn-Robertson
Frank Robinson
Lena Salins
Lorraine Resseger-Slone
Joe Walsh
Brett Womack, Brett Womack is a senior here at GMU pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre and a BA in Mathematics. Brett is the current Company Manager of the GhostLight Players, and takes part in many disciplines in theatre, including directing (Twelve Ophelias), composing (fallen, Road to the End), playwriting (The Peak, The Moss Deathbed Plays), performing (110 in the Shade, Mason Cabaret), and more! Thanks to everyone for a wonderful senior sendoff ��.
Elise Legault, Elise LeGault is thrilled to be back with The Mason Players for this student-led production! Originally from Roanoke, VA, Elise is a double major in Communication and Theater. You may have last seen her in Mason Cabaret or in Once Upon a Mattress. Enjoy the show!!
Elias Collier, This is Elias’ fifth production and first straight play at Mason. He’d like to thank his amazing cast, director and supporters for making this a great show. Special love, as always, to Liam Birch.
Raven Stack, Raven is a junior here at George Mason University, and this is her first production through the Mason Players. Although she is a biology major, she loves the performing arts and is always looking for more opportunities to act!
Sharon Cho, Sharon is a freshman thrilled to be participating in her third production at Mason! Her past roles this year include Snookie from 110 in the Shade and Bao from The Beautiful People. She would like to thank her family, Professor Djola, and Aven Hagen Grote for their encouragement during her first year at Mason.
Kyle Crowne, This is Kyle Crowne's third show done with the school of Theater, he is a sophomore getting dual BFA's in Performance and Sound Engineering and Design. He's very excited to share with you all Twelve Angry Jurors and hopes you enjoy!
Felisha Cuenca, Is very excited for her final show with Mason. This past year has brought many opportunities to work in shows and a shout out to the Ghostlight Series. She wants to thank the community of theatre at Mason and can’t wait to see it evolve.
Olivia Wilson, Olivia loves nothing more than performing. She is a junior studying Communications and Theater with an affinity for storytelling. She is grateful for the George Mason School of Theater and the Ghostlight players for this opportunity and is so excited to be in her 4th production at Mason.
Nolwenn Favre, Nolwenn Favre is a theatre performance major at George Mason and will be graduating in May 2025. She is a Swiss-French international student. She participated as an actress in some of the other productions being put on at the university such as The Originals, Love’s Labors, Sutta and La Belle Indifference. She also dabbled in directing by working on some of the Ghostlight Players staged readings.
Dae’Quon, Dae'Quon Shines is a zealous individual with a strong passion for all arts. His recent credits include LTA's production of Matilda The Musical and a short musical in GMU's Fall 2024 Originals collection. Quon thanks all his family for their continued support, but mostly his mom Maxine for never giving up on his dreams.
Ky Dermott, Ky Dermott is a musical theatre major in their third year at GMU, with a huge passion for acting, singing, and makeup. They’re so thrilled to be a member of the Twelve Angry Jurors cast and to work with such amazing and talented people.
Emma Howard, Emma Howard is thrilled to be a part of the cast of Twelve Angry Jurors! This is Emma's first show with Mason Theater, and she is immensely proud of the cast and crew’s incredible work. Emma hopes everyone enjoys the show and encourages the support of the diverse and necessary efforts of artists everywhere.
Isaiah Clayton, Isaiah is a sophomore performance student at GMU. After debuting as "Alpha" in More Dogs last semester, he's excited to portray Juror #6. Isaiah believes that theater, like this show, can serve as a valuable mirror to society, especially in challenging times like these.
Production Bios
Aven Hagen Grote, This is Aven's last semester at Mason, and their first show as a lead director! They'd like to thank the faculty of the School of Theatre, their wondrous cast & production team (shoutout E Griggs), and their friends & family who have kept them afloat. Thanks for coming to see Jurors!
Emma Mitchell, Emma Mitchell is thrilled to be Stage Managing her first production at Mason! She has previously worked as Assistant Stage Manager for Twelve Ophelias & 110 In The Shade. She would like to thank her family for their endless support and the entire cast and crew for their work and the wonderful community that they have built!
Tess Tsolis, Tess is the Assistant Stage Manager for this production and is excited for this opportunity! They have worked on a few George Mason Productions including 9 to 5, Thrive or What You Will, and The Originals! They are thankful for this opportunity and look forward to working on more productions in the future!
Brianna Sullivan, Brianna is a History and Theatre dual major and is also in the Arts Management Accelerated Masters program. She would like to give thanks to her family, professors, advisors, and friends for their encouragement and support. Enjoy the show!
Grae Horner, Grae Horner (Lighting Design) is very excited to light their first show at Mason! She is very honored to be a part of this show and would like to thank everyone who helped and supported her through this project. Enjoy the show!
Advisories
In the interest of welcoming people with a wide range of needs and life experiences, the School of Theater offers a bit of information on what you will encounter in this production. Use this information as it is helpful to you.
Content Advisory - may contain spoilers
Content Advisory: This production contains discussions of the death penalty as well as homicidal, violent and abusive acts. There is also brief use of derogatory language and hate speech.
Environment Warnings: This production of 12 Angry Jurors includes the use of prop weapons.
Exits and Entrances
Please join the entire School of Theater community in thanking Djola Branner, Director of School of Theater, for his last four years of service and leadership in the role as Director. From creating original work to leading the unit through major changes in culture at George Mason and the Theater world beyond, we wish Djola all the best as he looks to new horizons. We’ll still see Djola around a bit as he will continue for an additional year as Professor of Theater! Thank you, Djola.
While we begin the search for our next Director, Nicholas Kfoury Horner, current Assistant Director, will serve as Interim Director and lead the unit through the transition. We look forward to exploring new possibilities with Nick and beyond!
Longtime Professor and beloved DC star, Ed Gero has announced his retirement from Mason at the end of this academic year. After 30+ years of brilliant service to our unit, we send Ed to retirement with a bittersweet farewell. Ed was one of the architects of the unit, setting a high standard for our program as head of the performance area, mentor to countless actors, and beacon of the DC theater scene here at George Mason. His contributions to the School of Theater and the College of Visual and Performing Arts cannot be overstated! We will miss you Ed, and profound thanks for your presence and teaching these many years!
Arts Support Umbrella colleague Stephan Starling will be leaving the role of Assistant Technical Director at the end of the academic year. Stephan has faithfully mentored a number of design students in the School of Theater through work in the scene shop, and will be missed! Best of luck on what’s next, Stephan.
Finally, after 50 years, we say farewell to a familiar name The Mason Players and bid warm welcome to the reformed student organization, The GhostLight Players. Entirely student led and realigned with the new George Mason brand, this group will continue to bring theater to life for the broader university, participate in School of Theater productions, and work closely with faculty and staff to further the mission of Theater at George Mason. Please keep an eye out for announcements about upcoming GhostLight Players events and merchandise.
Land Acknowledgement
At the place George Mason University occupies, we give greetings and thanksgivings to the recognized Virginia tribes who have lovingly stewarded these lands for millennia including the Rappahannock, Pamunkey, Upper Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Nansemond, Monacan, Mattaponi, Patawomeck, and Nottaway, past, present, and future; and to the Piscataway tribes, who have lived on both sides of the river from time immemorial. The education offered here is a credit to the land that has received our students. The good they will do in this world is the harvest of the soil upon which they stand, sit, and live.