12 Angry Jurors
at San Clemente

Reviewed on December 14, 2019

Bella Gordon
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies

San Clemente's "12 Angry Jurors" Reaches a Stellar Verdict
written by Bella Gordon, a sophomore at San Juan Hills High School

It's a sweltering summer day in New York, and twelve jurors deliberate on a seemingly unequivocal "guilty" case. Tensions grow higher and debates evolve into feverish arguments as they delve deeper into themselves to shed personal biases to deliver justice.

As the ensemble engages in discussion throughout the show, each juror embodies a distinct temperament that contrasts those of the other jurors. Though the jurors constantly and stubbornly bicker, during a botched reenactment of the case, they unite into one by collectively leaping from their seats and screaming at Juror #3.

Portraying the abrasive Juror #3, Gunnar Arnwine is unyieldingly bitter and scornful. When jurors argue for a not-guilty verdict, Arnwine indignantly shakes his head as he mutters to himself, aggressively taps his foot, and grimaces and glares at the jurors. Brielle Jenkins portrays the level-headed Juror #4, the antithesis of Juror #3, with a composed voice and perfect posture. Jenkins sits with her back straight and one leg crossed over the other as she intently listens to the fervent debates and takes notes.

Juror #12 (Zack Mallgrave), while focused on the case, is unflappable as he blithely leans back in his chair, smokes a cigarette, and hoists his feet onto the table with total nonchalance. William King as Juror #9 utilizes a mellow tone as he speaks in favor of not-guilty, expressing his thoughts in a quiet but firm manner while thoughtfully leaning forward onto his cane.

The set, constructed by Sonora Wells, Shane Robertson, Sara Faunce, and Logan Ruby, creates a cramped fish bowl-like effect. Three walls sequester jurors in a room with only a single window and door to contact the outside world, adding to the tension as the jurors are trapped with each other. The audio design (Jack Page, Kyle Roland, Landon Webber) emulates cars driving by, car honks, and street noise, immersing the audience into the jurors' metropolitan landscape.

Costume (Sophie Matossian, Lauren Page) and makeup (Avery Hazeleur, Grace Giranda, Celina Gonzalez, Riya Khetarpal) designs work together to solidify the personalities of each character. The poised Juror #4 dons an impeccably ironed outfit and her hair is tidily styled into a classic 60s beehive.

Through skillful acting and technical elements, San Clemente High School delivers a production of "12 Angry Jurors" that insightfully comments on social class and the distortion of truth and justice.

Delaney Schultz
Fountain Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Tensions run high in San Clemente's ‘12 Angry Jurors'
written by Delaney Schultz, a senior at Fountain Valley High School

11 to 1. With a young inner-city boy's life at stake, the burden is on one juror to prove the reasonable doubt surrounding the case. In less than an hour and a half, San Clemente High School casts a weighted blanket of heat and anxiety over the room, revealing bias with a glimmer of hope.

As Juror #8, Ben Yawn undoubtedly stands out. Calm and collected, Yawn paces about with precise intentions, only cracking his demeanor in moments of passionate incredulity at the other jurors' lack of compassion.

Leaning back with his legs on the table and a cigarette in hand, Zack Mallgrave as Juror #12 oozes casual arrogance; in a grave drama, he is comic relief, despite rarely speaking other than to boast his advertising career. As the character realizes he was wrong, his smirk fades and posture shrinks.

This wide array of emotions is evident in each member of the jury. As a group of humans so divided and hostile, the jurors each display stark individuality, from their expressions to their accents. But they do function as a cohesive ensemble with moments of great unity: each juror lunging forward in panic when Juror #3 (Gunnar Arnwine) pulls a knife on #8 (Ben Yawn), or everyone turning their backs on Juror #10 (Chloe Schweer) during her final racist tangent.

The set design, led by Sonora Wells, sets the atmosphere for the entire production. Plain, beige walls with only one window inspire uncomfortable claustrophobia, the exact kind that a tense summertime jury might experience.

The technical elements of this production work in flawless tandem to add realism and emphasize dynamics. Hair/makeup (led by Avery Hazeleur) and costumes (Sophie Matossian, Lauren Page) are accurate to period, season, and character, with sixties-inspired looks and light materials. Sounds (Jack Page) from the outside world ground the room into reality. The front-wash of the overhead lights (Matt Condon) add to the fishbowl effect of a conference room.

Brooklyn Enriquez as stage manager ties these components together. Proof of her success is in her undetectable presence; each cue is on-time, the noises from the outside fluctuating as the window opens and closes.

In their production of ‘12 Angry Jurors', San Clemente High conveys an ever-important message about humanity, empathy, and bias.

Brenna Alexander
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Justice is Served at San Clemente High School's "12 Angry Jurors"
written by Brenna Alexander, a junior at Tesoro High School

A murder in the early 1960s brings together twelve strangers in order to determine a man's guilt in the heat of summer. San Clemente High School's gripping production of "12 Angry Jurors" forces a diverse jury to face their own differences before they can reach a just verdict.

Speaking with confidence, Ben Yawn's portrayal of the optimistic Juror #8 inspires. As jurors argue back and forth, Yawn stays attentive and open. Yet as he fails to hear a convincing argument, he gains confidence, understanding, and even begins to mirror the actions of the indignant Juror #3 as he hits the table in a moment of extreme passion.

Juxtaposing Yawn's generally calm demeanor, Gunnar Arnwine employs quick movements and a raised voice to portray the fervid Juror #3. Overtaken by rage, Arnwine slams his hand against the table when he has heard enough, capturing the attention of every juror in the room. Arnwine highlights Juror #3's curmudgeonly attitude by muttering mocking phrases under his breath as his fellow jurors talk.

Taking control of the room, Brielle Jenkins's level headed Juror #4 adds a level of sophistication and intelligence. Rubbing her hands together as she listened to other jurors, Jenkins displays a tangible thoughtfulness. Walking around as she makes her points, Jenkins draws attention to herself and establishes herself as a leader in the deliberation room.

Slouching in her seat, Emma Rhoades portrays the indifferent Juror #7. Rhoades's slouched posture, crossed legs, and irritated expressions illustrate her discontent and desire to leave. While at the same time, Chloe Schweer's sassy Juror #10 sits with a straight back and rolls her eyes. Two of the last three to give in, Rhoades and Schweer add another level of chaos to the already tempered room.

With a minimalist approach, the set, designed by Sonora Wells, Logan Ruby, Sara Faunce, and Shane Robertson, is simplistic, yet still functional. The addition of a water dispenser allows for movement as well as a common place of congregation. The single window is also used effectively as a common place for actors to drift towards as the room heats up, both figuratively and literally.

With impeccable acting and seamless technological execution, San Clemente's enthralling "12 Angry Jurors" opens eyes to the importance of listening to others.