By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
The Moapa Valley High School Theatre program returned to live performances again last week in a performance of “12 Angry Jurors”. The production had a three-night run including November 16, 17, & 19 in the Ronald Dalley Theatre at MVHS.
Each night was nearly sold out with parents, family, and local theater enthusiasts finding pure inspiration and joy from the outstanding performances done by the student performers.
A quick change in scheduling had to take place because the original closing night of the show had been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 18. But because the State Championship Football game was scheduled for that night, the final production was postponed to Friday night instead.
“Even with the change in the scheduling of the shows, we still had an amazing turn-out,” said MVHS Theatre Teacher Kenna Higgins who also directed the play.
The performances were met with high praise from attendees, including from theatre enthusiast and MVHS teacher Kim Hardy who raved on about the play.
“Bravo to the MVHS theatre students!” said Hardy. “It was very well done… one of the top 10 shows I’ve been to in the last couple of years.”
“I am so pleased with all the students who worked together to make this performance come to life,” said Higgins. “Some actors had their parts for less than a week, and all the kids worked really hard.”
The play “12 Angry Jurors” was written by Reginald Rose and originally published in 1964. It is adapted from the 1954 teleplay of the same title for the CBS anthology television series.
The play depicts an intriguing look into the jury room and courtroom of a homicide case where 12 jurors must decide the fate of a young man. Initially, the twelve jurors had nearly decided on a “guilty” verdict. But that position changes as the jurors work through their own biases and prejudices.
Juror #8, played by Whitney Waite, was the one person who voted “not guilty” from the beginning; even while everyone else on the jury said “guilty.”
On the other hand, Juror #3, played by Laurana Bush, was the last one to change her vote to “not guilty.” She was an angry and contrary juror.
The one who brought down applause from the audience was the old man who was played by Romeo Elenes, with outstanding make-up job by the Theatre Tech students Ellie Robison and Kymber Rowley.
At the end of all three performances, the entourage of performers received standing ovations with non-stop applause.
“We are super excited to be presenting live theatre again,” said Higgins. “And we hope to bring good theatre and entertainment on the MVHS stage.”
The high school group will be performing another play in the spring semester. The schedule and dates for the performance are expected for the end of March 2022.
