MacTheatre staged a pair of straight plays—12 Angry Jurors and Inherit the Wind—in the Fine Arts Building Theatre from Dec. 5-8. Both plays enjoyed three performances and mostly featured students from the advanced threatre classes.

“I believe [opening night] went well for everybody,” junior Angelica Heikkala said after the Thursday Dec. 5 performance of 12 Angry Jurors. “I believe there’s always room for improvement, but for me I want to improve on getting to know my character on an even deeper level and gaining a more thorough understanding of the subtexts.”

The run of six shows ended with the third performance of Inherit the Wind on the night of Sunday Dec. 8.

Junior Joseph Blackwood (Henry Drummond) said he was sad to say goodbye to Inherit the Wind.

“This show was an interesting change of pace,” Colaleo said. “The process was overall very fast and light. … Everybody in the cast is involved, committed and talented.”

Senior Joe Colaleo (Matthew Harrison Brady) agreed.

“I felt a deep connection to this show,” Blackwood said. “Not only because I was already close with most of my cast mates, but the message of the show was clear and unique.”

Behind the scenes, tech students worked hard creating creating props and set pieces for both 12 Angry Jurors and Inherit the Wind. Tech student Brendan Williams, a junior, said that he found 12 Angry Jurors to be really interesting.

“It’s unique because it’s only words, and the cast never leaves the stage outside of intermission, but that also makes it pretty limited from a technical standpoint, since there are no set or costume changes and very limited lighting and sound,” Williams said. “Regarding sets, both shows shared a set. I worked on both sets, and they’re both closely related to a trial. 12 Angry Jurors is much more intimate with the audience and just within the case because of how few characters there are.”

We are pleased to share some of our favorite moments from the two plays as a special holiday edition Tuesday Top 10.

STAGE TEARS: Sophomore Grace McCarty and theatre major comforts her Inherit the Wind scene partner, Joe Colaleo. Because this show is based off of true events, the actors had to do research on their roles and the story. “While in Inherit the Wind, I did research on the Scopes Monkey Trial, the trial in which the show is based off of,” McCarty said. “It was a trial in 1925 that focused on the conflict between evolution being taught in schools and the beliefs that Christians have.” Caption and photo by Sunday Cardinal.

FURY IN THE COURTROOM: Junior Angelica Heikkala (right) demonstrates a stabbing motion on her scene partner, senior Tessa Pilette (left), during the opening night performance on 12 Angry Jurors. Heikkala plays a character whose motives are largely influenced by the past trauma her character went through. “I feel like having a deeper understanding of her motives and knowing that anger is a secondary emotion really played a part in her character development,” Heikkala said, “For example, my character talks about her kid a lot, and a lot of anger I have is from the pain and hurt I felt with my characters experience with him, as well as her innate desire to be heard and meaningful in the discussion played a big role in creating her anger as well.” Although her work paid off in the end, Heikkala was happy with how their opening night performance went. “I’m specifically proud of how the second act went,” she said. “It was the best we’ve done so far as a whole. I believe there’s always room for improvement, but for me I’d say getting to know my character on an even deeper level and gaining a more thorough understanding of the subtexts.”  Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

TALK OF THE TOWN: Junior Joseph Blackwood, who plays Henry Drummond, scolds his co-star Matthew Harrison Brady, played by senior Joe Colaleo in the closing performance of Inherit the Wind. Blackwood and Colaleo play characters with opposing beliefs throughout the show, but both have respect for each others characters. “We’ve spent a lot of time working on our scenes together,” Blackwood said. “I think Matthew Harrison Brady is a very interesting character because we see, especially in the prayer meeting scene, that he is not a bad guy; in fact, Brady stands up for a young girl against her father, who Brady greatly favors over her. While Brady’s arrogance and ignorance does get the best of him, we realize as the show goes on that his intentions were not all that bad.” Blackwood’s character, Henry Drummond, also goes through a lot of character development throughout the show as one of the other main roles in Inherit the Wind. “It was interesting getting to play Drummond,” he said. “He isn’t focused on spreading his own beliefs, he’s more focused on allowing other to. I tried to keep this in mind while learning the script, especially with scenes involving the other character who Drummond is defending because he is open about his beliefs. I also tried to put on an older physicality as the character is a little aged.” Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

A PERFECT NO. 10: Eleanor Rodney, a junior at McCallum played Juror No. 10 in Mac Theater’s production of 12 Angry Jurors. She sits alone center stage being one of the only people not raising her hand, she is voting for guilty because her character doubts the suspect based on his race. “My character was just insanely problematic,” Rodney said. “I tried to understand her and what made her think this way, but it was challenging.” Opening night of 12 Angry Jurors was Thursday, Dec. 5, but Rodney believes that there was definitely improvement made as the shows went on. By the Sunday matinee, Rodney said that, “We found a really nice rhythm by the last show, and I thought it made the show more engaging.” Though as a whole they saw overall improvement until the last show, Rodney believes that her personal best performance was on opening night. Caption and photo by Etta Fannin.

WAITING FOR BRADY: Freshman Hudson Haywood (right) and Inherit the Wind scene partner Phoebe Wagner (left) wait for the arrival of Matthew Harrison Brady, played by senior Joe Colale, to bless their prop baby. According to Haywood, the cast has grown greatly throughout the rehearsal process for a great final performance. “Even with our final dress rehearsal to opening night there were so many improvements made,” he said. “We were always making it better from the day we started. Overall we made major changes in a positive way. As an ensemble member, I’ve personally been working on y reaction and basic character work. Those aspects were extremely important for the ensemble as that was our main objective.” Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

TRICKY BUSINESS: Senior Kiran Ireland, who plays the Jury Foreman in 12 Angry Jurors, inspects a prop knife. Ireland believes that the limited show may have brought some cons to the rehearsal process, but it was still enjoyable all around. “Previously, one of the most fun things about working on a production was getting to hang out with people you might not see in the school day,” she said. “However, this cast is all around a lot smaller, but despite that it still has a place in my heart. It was really nice to have a majority of rehearsals during the school day, it doesn’t require as much of a time commitment.” As a senior, and with this being her final performance with McCallum, she’s grateful for the opportunity to be in this final production. “Despite occasional drama and frustration that inevitably comes with theatre, MacTheatre is a very special community,” she said. “I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to be a part of it. I love all our traditions, and I’m so excited to see how the program continues to develop after I graduate.” Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

THE SAVIOR: Senior Joe Colaleo, who plays Matthew Harrison Brady, argues in the courtroom during the closing night of Inherit the Wind. Colaleo plays a complicated character, who goes through lots of development and many emotion moments throughout the show. Colaleo has been intricately preparing for the role. “I really tried to connect myself with Brady,” he said. “I would visualize and mentally align myself with how Brady feels. Brady in truth is a very insecure and sensitive person who masks it with confidence and acting big. I was trying to understand a person who has never been on top, and truthfully is really sad and lonely. Once Brady loses the respect of those around him, he crumbles. In truth, he’s scared, sensitive and only ever wanted people to like him, but he cares too much and was too full of himself to change or realize his mistakes. Brady becomes broken, and in his last attempt to pull everyone back in, has a tragic demise.” Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

BOTH ONSTAGE AND OFFSTAGE: Junior Willa Brynn (right) stubbornly ignores her castmates during opening night of Mac Theater’s production of 12 Angry Jurors. Brynn said that it was difficult to be in character throughout the entire show as she was onstage the entire time. “The character I play is so different from who I am as a person,” Brynn said, “so I always have to ensure that I am acting like my character even when I am not talking.” Brynn, playing Juror No. 4, is usually behind the scenes during shows, not onstage. “I wanted to be onstage for this show because it’s been a while since I have been in a mainstage production at McCallum,” Brynn said. She believes that actors and technicians are a lot more similar than people think they are. Brynn believes that both crew and cast have to work closely with a group of people in order to achieve a good show. Caption and photo by Etta Fannin.

HILLSBORO: The people of Hillsboro listen intensely in the courthouse, waiting to hear the jury’s verdict. Freshman Max Marcus (front, right) believes that their final performance was a great highlight for the cast. “Our first performance was a little rough, but everyone was just getting started,” he said. “The second show was great, but our final show was above all the best, even though we all may have been a little tired. I’ve been slowly trying to improve my diction and south accent throughout the show. Although it’s not said directly, many of the cast believe it’s set somewhere in Kentucky or Tennessee since it gets very hot in the courtroom. Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

LOSING FAITH: Freshman Scarlett Coleman stares at Matthew Harrison Brady, played by Junior Joe Colaleo in disbelief after learning the truth about his character. Although she’s a member of the ensemble, Coleman still felt very included throughout the entire rehearsal process. “It was so fun being these little characters in ensemble,” she said. “You got to be in a family and stick to those people throughout the show, and you really can add personality to your character. You have to be focused throughout the show and be actively reacting to whatever is happening, engaging with your other Ensemble members and having little conversations constantly. We really worked on that and added to it during rehearsals, making sure to keep conversation with the person about the plot.” As a freshman, and a new member to the McCallum theatre program, Coleman has enjoyed her first production. “I was so greatly welcomed,” she said. “It was so surreal, and I met a lot of people that have been my friends for a while now after the final performance, and it was special since it was my first performance at McCallum. The last two shows were really incredible, all our work over the past few months paid off greatly.” Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

THE ANGRIEST JUROR: Junior McCallum student Angelica Heikkala lashes out at her fellow jurors in opening night of 12 Angry Jurors. Heikkala said that it was enjoyable for her to play the role of Juror No. 3. “There’s not another role I would’ve rather played because I liked figuring out this one,” Heikkala said. 12 Angry Jurors was rehearsed mostly in the Theater 3 and 4 class. “It was new to me to have rehearsals mostly in class, but it ultimately was helpful,” she said. Heikkala’s role required a strong actor because her character has multiple big angry monologues as seen here where she flings herself violently towards another juror. Caption and photo by Etta Fannin.

A SMOOTH PRESENTATION: Freshman theater major Max Marcus chases around sixth grader Sloane Brookby, playing the part of Melinda, in the second night of Inherit the Wind. Max Marcus had the role of Howard, a young student of Bertram Pates. He explained that the process of putting together the play was pretty simple, and that the everybody in the cast was very nice. “All the people, actors, and directors were very kind throughout the whole time of working together,” Marcus said. He added that he found the first show, which took place on Friday, Dec. 6 to definitely not be their best because people still needed to work on memorizing their lines; however, he said that was no longer true by the second performance.  “We really turned it around for the last two!” Marcus said. Inherit the Wind was his first official show at McCallum, not counting the Fairytale Ball fundraiser. “I had a great time working with everyone,” Marcus said. Caption and photo by Anais Long.

NUMBERS DWINDLING: Senior Kiran Ireland slowly erases tally marks on the board during opening night performance of 12 Angry Jurors. As the jury foreman in the show she has an important role, and along with the rest of the cast spent a lot of time character building. “We did a lot of our character work before we started actually rehearsing on stage,” she said. “First we read and annotated the script, then we spent a couple days just discussing character background and physicalization. It became less of a focus as we started working on blocking and memorization, but we tried to keep every aspect of the performance grounded in the character work from the beginning.” Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

BROUGHT FOURTH TO THE LIGHT: Ninth-grader Etta Fannin, playing Jesse H. Dunlap, is seen here shaking hands with Joe Colaleo playing Matthew Harrison Brady, in the Inherit the Wind performance on Saturday, Dec. 7. Fannin said she was very satisfied with her role as Jesse. “It wasn’t the biggest role, but after all I am a freshman and it was my first real McCallum show.” She said that when playing her character, she was very invested in it. “I really enjoyed the scenes where I get to yell and get into it,” Fannin said. She feels as though the cast has improved a lot since their first performance on Friday and has grown to be stronger together. “Through this experience I also learned how to be a good ensemble member and stay active and listening the entire time” she said. Caption and photo by Anais Long.

TAKING THEIR FINAL BOW: On Sunday, Dec. 8, students in Inherit the Wind performed their closing show. “I think our final performance was our best show,” said junior Joseph Blackwood, who played Henry Drummond “We have definitely improved since opening night. I personally improved on my characterization from night to night and I believe that goes for most of the cast as well.” Caption and photo by Sunday Cardinal.