12ANGRYMEN Riverside Cadets Portray
RMA’s Fine Arts Department, including Drama Teacher Mike Smith and some talented cadets with a flair for acting, presented the landmark American drama “Twelve Angry Men” in the Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theatre during November 2014. “Twelve Angry Men,” a critically acclaimed 1950s teleplay created by Reginald Rose, inspired both a classic film and a Broadway revival. The story is a powerful examination of the American melting pot and the judicial system keeping it in check. Following several days of trial proceedings, the production opens with Juror Eight as the solitary holdout in an 11-1 guilty vote in what seems to be an open and shut case. Eight sets his sights 18
By Julie A. Smith, Multimedia Manager
not on proving the others wrong, but rather on persuading them to view the case in a way unaffected by personal biases. Is there reasonable doubt based on the case’s evidence? The jurors must question whether to permit a potentially innocent young man to face a mandatory death penalty or allow a possible murderer to go free. The audience learns more about individual jury members’ biases and motivations as tempers begin to flare and arguments commence. Through the play’s progression, layers of artifice are peeled away to reveal the best and worst in each juror. Two evening performances and one matinee were free and open to the public. In reference to our cadets’
interpretation of the beloved drama, an audience member stated that “the cast did a great job capturing the essence of all of the characters.” CAST & CREW
Foreman – Ivan Pearson Jury Members – Kale Matschichelian, Chris Rosato, Patrick Sheffield, Miguel Ricart, Christian Rotsch, Anthony Bambino, Sekayi Williams, Brandon Oliveira, Demarko Hooper, Jorge Hernandez, Ethan Lyles Guard – Shane Lieu Director – Mike Smith Stage Manager – Cameron Samples Lighting Crew – Tristan Bisch, David Dupuis, Shinwook Park, Wade Strickland Sound Crew – Jonathan Canniff