ARTS 60
SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 16 – JULY 6, 2018
Experienced teen actor to direct ‘12 Angry Jurors’ BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor
A recent Hamilton High School graduate with lots of theater experience under his belt is directing a play coming to Limelight Performing Arts. Connor Brigola, 18, of Chandler is the director of “12 Angry Jurors,” a play based on the movie “12 Angry Men.” The show is coming to Limelight Performing Arts June 19-23 and 13 youths are in the cast. “It’s such an honor for me to be able to direct, to work with such talented kids and to also be on the other side,” Brigola said. “I grew up acting. It’s really cool to be able to help shape their skills. My favorite part is watching the growth of the actors and seeing how they embody the roles.” Despite his young age, it’s the second time he has served as director. Brigola directed “The Lion King Jr.” last year at Limelight Performing Arts.
DANCERS
from page 59
themselves “daredevils.” “I train really, really hard, and I believe to be the best, you have to work the hardest,” she said. “To be the best in the class, you have to work even harder. That’s my method. Of course, I have to give up a lot, but it’s worth it in the end. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Set to attend State University of
Special to SanTan Sun News
Connor Brigola, 18, of Chandler is the director of “12 Angry Jurors.”
He has performed in shows at Limelight for about five years, doing
New York at Purchase this fall, Sarjeant explains the duo works well together by melding the home-schooled teen’s ballet moves with his athleticism. “There is a lot that goes into dancing,” Gay adds. “We have to do side training. We have to eat a certain diet. My friends are ordering hamburgers, and I’m sitting there eating a chicken salad. It’s a lifestyle. It’s not a diet. There’s a lot that goes into it. It’s not easy.”
about 15 productions. Brigola has also performed at Chandler Center for the Arts theater camps. He even had a chance to perform in a Hollywood Hills camp, working with professional actors, the summer after his freshman year of high school. His favorite role at Limelight Performing Arts was the title role in “Tarzan the Stage Musical” between his junior and senior years of high school. “It was a blast,” Brigola said. “That character is such a well-known character. It was just fun to step into the character’s shoes, to experience the Disney magic behind shows, sing lyrics of Phil Collins.” He said “12 Angry Jurors” is about one day in the life of jurors debating over a trial for a man accused of stabbing his father to death. “There are tons of twists and turns and funny goings on, back and forth between characters,” Brigola said. “Parts of it are
full of tension. Parts of it are comedic.” He is not the only Chandler youth who will be part of “12 Angry Jurors.” The following children and teens who live in Chandler will also perform in it: • Jenna Jackson: 16, will enter 12th grade at Perry High School in the fall, playing the role of Foreman • Jaelyn Brown: 17, will enter Grand Canyon University in the fall, playing the role of Juror No. 6 • Shayna Padjen: 16, will enter 11th grade at Campo Verde High School in the fall, playing the role of Juror No. 12 • Ciara Bogan: 11, will enter 6th grade at Kyrene Middle School Dual Language Academy, Juror No. 9 • Zackary Anderson, 19, will enter Arizona State University in the fall, Juror No. 8 “12 Angry Jurors” will be performed at 7 p.m. July 19-23 and also at 3:30 p.m. June 23. Information: limelight.ticketleap. com/12-angry-jurors.
Elektro Botz
“I had older cousins who were dancing as well as teaching,” he said. “I wanted to come here to train. Then I met the other guys and we all just fell in love with dancing. All of the Botz are passionate. We do really creative work, with dancing and music and mixing. “We are addicted to creating something from scratch and seeing it come to life. We’re doing a bunch of robot moves and sounds that didn’t exist before.” Information: nbc.com.
The longtime robotics trio has been popping its way through the competitive dance scene for years. “Like everyone else, we’re doing the best we possibly can,” said Banuelos, who is preparing to move from Gilbert to Los Angeles to pursue a dance career. It’ll be his second relocation, as he came to the Grand Canyon State to follow in his family’s dancing footsteps.