Auditions
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Auditions for Twelve Angry Jurors
About the play:
The play is set in the late 50's/early 60's in New York City. It's summer. The jurors are average, everyday, working people. Some of them are college educated but most are not. Juror 5 is the youngest; the others can be played as 40's/50/s/60's. Jurors 9 and 11 could be played as 70's. No one here is a standout from the others: they are the New Yorkers you see every day on the subway and on the bus. While New York City was always a melting pot, it was less so at the time the play is set. It is, in fact, the changing makeup of the city's population that is central to the story. |
Audition Details:
It is important that actors come to the audition having read the play to be familiar with the various characters and the action. DO NOT SEE THE MOVIE (Tempting because it's a classic but we're not doing the movie). We will be using the 12 Angry Men version of the play with some small adjustments in pronouns to accommodate 2 women jurors. In a few places, lines will be assigned to other jurors so the words and actions make sense.
Because all the characters (except for the Guard) are onstage the entire time, we will audition in groups where several characters speak. There are very few speeches but where there are, you may be asked to read one of that character's speeches. For those who wish to read for more than one juror - given the number of parts and what may be a number of actors looking to audition, we may not be able to read every actor for the juror parts they are interested in. If you are given someone to read who does not have much in the way of dialogue on those sides, you will be asked to read another juror in that scene or another.
About the characters:
The jury consists of 10 men and 2 women; the role of the court officer (Guard) will be played by an African-American woman. Juror # 2 and # 8 will be played by women. There is one male African-American juror # 9.
Guard: African-American woman, mid 40's to mid 50's. This actor will also introduce the play, make the announcements. She has worked at the court house for a long time. She's a little world weary, has some edges because of the need to be tough to work in the courts.
Juror 1: He is the foreman and as such is the moderator. He takes his position seriously, is a good listener, wants to be fair. He is not college educated; recognizes his role is important. Loves baseball, loves telling stories about it. (Note: he is not Henry Fonda!)
Juror 2: This woman is very timid. She does not have many lines so is its important that the actor have the ability to remain involved in the scene. She is easily persuaded and when given the opportunity, doesn't express herself well.
Juror 3: He is very vocal, strong minded and loses his temper easily. He runs a messenger service.
Juror 4: He is a professional man who dresses well and probably is the best fixed financially of all the jurors. He's level headed.
Juror 5: This is a younger man - perhaps late 20's. He has grown up in a poor area of the city and has seen his share of violence. He knows what a knife fight looks like. He is not self confident as he sees he's much younger than the other jurors.
Juror 6: He's an honest working man....a house painter. Not educated.
Juror 7: He is a car salesman and not at all happy to be serving on a jury. He's impatient, wants to wrap things up and leave. Loud, easily distracted.
Juror 8: She is really the main character: thoughtful, calm, smart and she has the self confidence to stand alone. She is able to remain calm and speak her mind in a room full of men - many of whom are probably not at all happy to be on a jury with an outspoken woman.
Juror 9: He is an older African-American man who is a thinker, mild mannered. He stays in the background and does not speak much but when he does, what he says matters. He is the first to see the racism that characterizes Juror 10.
Juror 10: He sees everything in black and white; "us vs. them". He is bitter, angry and tactless.
Juror 11: He is an older man, a gentleman to his fellow jurors. An immigrant from Europe, he is perhaps German, and speaks with an appropriate accent. He has seen injustice and thus values the American jury system and its fairness.
Juror 12: He is an advertising executive. Isn't always involved in what's going on but thinking of other things. It could be said he enjoys being a contrarian.
Audition Dates & Times:
Sunday, November 4th - 1 to 3:30pm
Monday, November 5th - 7 to 9pm (auditions will be held in the theater)
Tuesday, November 6th - 7 to 9pm
Sunday, November 4th - 1 to 3:30pm
Monday, November 5th - 7 to 9pm (auditions will be held in the theater)
Tuesday, November 6th - 7 to 9pm
Callbacks:
Sunday, November 11th from 2 to 4 pm (callbacks will be held in the theater)
Sunday, November 11th from 2 to 4 pm (callbacks will be held in the theater)
Details:
Auditions on Monday, November 5th will be held at the theater as Circle Mirror is not rehearsing on Mondays. Callbacks for Sunday, November 11th will be in the theater as Circle Mirror rehearses later in the day.
Auditions on Monday, November 5th will be held at the theater as Circle Mirror is not rehearsing on Mondays. Callbacks for Sunday, November 11th will be in the theater as Circle Mirror rehearses later in the day.
