Elyssa Merrill, standing, rehearses a scene with other cast members on Tuesday for a production of “12 Angry Jurors” at Whiteland Community High School.
Scott Roberson | The Daily Journal
While both Clark-Pleasant and Indian Creeks schools are staging their fall plays this weekend, their offerings take audiences in two very different directions.
One is a tale that spins off of various Grimms’ fairy tales. The other dives into the drama of a juror deciding the fate of an accused murderer.
But both plays offer students an opportunity to express themselves through the arts while bringing people along on the journey.
The Clark-Pleasant play, “12 Angry Jurors,” is the first production led by director Tara Sorg at Whiteland Community High School.
It is also the first production at the school since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Sorg hopes the production is a chance to breath new life into the school’s theater program.
“I started working at Whiteland (Community High School) last semester teaching English, and they let me know with my background in theatre, I’ve taught theatre before, that the theatre program has kind of gone away over the last few years,” Sorg said.
In choosing a play for the high school to tackle, she was looking for a specific production that students would be excited to stage and that would infuse audiences with energy.
“I wanted to choose something with easy set requirements; it’s a one-room set,” she said. “I also wanted something with name recognition and I wanted something serious, so people will think, ‘She’s taking it seriously. This program will be significant.’ Not that I won’t do comedy, but we want to produce quality entertainment.”
The play is based on the 1957 movie “12 Angry Men,” that revolved around the deliberation of a jury following a murder trial. By tweaking the title, Sorg could audition and choose people based on ability, not on gender, she said.
During the course of the play, the jurors go from almost all being sure the defendant is guilty of murder, to some being unsure, setting up the stage for the drama, Sorg said.
Charlotte Ray, a sophomore, plays Juror No. 4, and has been involved in theatre since early in elementary school.
“I think theatre and performing have helped me express myself, come out of my shell, be open and meet new people,” Ray said.
Juror No. 4 is one of the more stubborn jurors, and is hesitant to change her mind even when new discussions and evidence are brought up, she said.
Playing the role of Juror No. 7 is Elijah Parr, who is performing in his very first production. As with Juror No. 4, he is quick to make up his mind and slow to change it, Parr said.
Parr, in his first production, took inspiration from his eighth-grade teacher from New Jersey for his character’s accent and how he carries himself, he said.
“I’m the bully type, but I’m still a person. You’ll see me catch myself in a moral situation when I know the person is right, but I don’t want to believe it,” Parr said of his character. “I’ve always liked the arts. I thought it was fascinating, but I never found myself with time to get into it. Ms. Sorg asked me if I would try out for the play. I gave it a shot, and here we are now.”
Elyssa Merrill, a junior, plays an aggressive Juror No. 3, who often yells and at times is physically violent.
“My character is very opinionated and very dogmatic,” she said. “She doesn’t want to change or listen to other people. I am proud of who I am but I get very vulnerable when no one agrees with me. I want to be right. I’m usually the instigator and am the most physically violent. I threaten to kill someone, slam my hand on the table and yell.”
People who enjoy crime dramas and mysteries will enjoy “12 Angry Jurors,” Merrill said.
“I think anyone who has that crime bug, who likes true crime, will love the play and getting evidence along with the jury and trying to piece it together,” she said. “It gives every actor a real chance to shine and people would be impressed with the talent high schoolers have.”
Indian Creek High School is staging “Into the Woods,” a production that director Tiffany Swopes performed in 13 years ago. Indian Creek most recently did the musical 10 years ago, and Swopes recruited cast members from that production to help her current cast prepare for the play, Swopes said.
“The whole premise is about children and how we need to be careful what we tell them and making sure they understand they are loved and nurtured,” Swopes said.
The musical features a host of popular fairy tale characters, including appearances by Rapunzel, a baker and his wife, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Jack of “Jack and the Beanstock.”
Senior Toby Sturgell plays the baker in the play, who, after his mother stole vegetables and beans from a witch’s house and garden, is cursed by being unable to have children. Together with his wife, he has to find items that will help them reverse the curse, Sturgell said.
“The musical always progresses and teaches you something no matter what the scene is,” Sturgell said. “You always learn something from the storyline and the plot is enjoyable to watch.”
Sophie Rieman, a junior, plays the part of Little Red Riding Hood. She also is a student-teacher, working with students at Indian Creek Elementary School. She used some of that experience to get into character, Rieman said.
“I try to get into character by acting childlike,” she said. “I take some characteristics from the kids I teach and incorporate them into the role. I work with first graders and incorporate their behaviors.”
Liv Booth, a junior, in her first lead role, plays the part of Cinderella, who she describes as shy and timid.
“She doesn’t know what she wants in life,” Booth said. “That’s her goal throughout the musical, trying to find what she wants and how she can get it.”
People should see “Into the Woods” because, although people are familiar with the fairy tales included, they won’t know what to expect.
“I think it’s a very different spin on all these fairy tales,” Booth said. “It’s an enjoyable show and you can have so much fun with it.”
