Making A Dramatic Difference
The CenterPoint Academy motto is “You Belong Here,” and nobody knows that better than the 716 people, ages 3-18, that we train in performing arts. What we really teach them, however, is how to be the awesomest version of themselves.
While the performing arts training we offer is top-notch, taught by the best local working artists, the end result for the vast majority of our students isn’t the Broadway stage.
Instead, we use the arts to teach lessons that matter in any facet of life – confidence, discipline, leadership, self-esteem, teamwork, friendship, and creativity. Our students learn these universally-relevant skills and become assets wherever they go – at school, at work, at church, and at home.
The Academy provides unique performance opportunities to these students on the CenterPoint Theatre stages, performing for more than 15,000 people per year, in over 125 performances of more than a dozen different shows.
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss
Music Supervised, Adapted, and Produced by Bryan Louiselle
SEUSSICAL JR.
is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
Academy Directors – Danny & Wendy Inkley
Producer – Jana Plowman
Director – Carol Madsen
Stage Manager – Sunny Simkins
Technical Director – Derek Walden
Sound Design – Derek Walden
Lighting Design – Jordan Fowler
Costume Design – Brianna Taylor
Set Design – Jana Plowman
Set Construction -Truxton Moulton, Silas Stott
Scenic Charge Artist – Cynthia Klumpp
Scenic Painter – Janae Klumpp Gibb
Props Mistress/Set Dressing – Marilyn Montgomery
Twelve jurors retire to the jury room as a murder trial concludes. The charge is murder in the first degree, and the judge reminds the jurors that they must base their unanimous decision of “guilty” or “not guilty” on whether or not there is “reasonable doubt” in their minds as to the guilt of the accused.
There it is… the play begins! When I was asked to work with the CenterPoint Academy students on this iconic piece, I was thrilled. Not only would we be able to present a thoughtful piece of Americana theatre to our audiences, but we would be able to explore, within our cast and production team, important questions, and discuss vital issues that confront us on a daily basis in our society. What is “reasonable doubt?” How do we effectively argue our points and persuade others to think differently? How do our prejudices affect our decision making, and how do we divorce ourselves from our assumptions based on faulty prejudice? What is “confirmation bias,” and how does it affect our perception of truth?
As our twelve jurors deliberate, it is important to recall that it’s not theoretical. There is human life at stake. There is a defendant, and there are the loved ones of the defendant. You will see our defendant as he waits in his jail cell. He has no voice in the arguments that ensue downstairs in the jury room, but his is a presence that cannot be forgotten.
I want to thank the CenterPoint Academy for this remarkable opportunity to work with thoughtful, respectful, and dedicated young actors. This cast is a group of incredible people, and I feel that they have enriched my life and understanding of fruitful discussion. I hope our audience members feel similarly as you experience “Twelve Angry Jurors,” as presented by CenterPoint Academy.
Gratefully,
Carol Madsen – Director
Setting – A Jury Room, Summer
Act 1 – Late Afternoon
Act 2 – A Second or Two Later
Act 3 – Immediately Following Act 2
(This play will be presented without an intermission)
CHARACTER | Cast Member |
---|---|
Foreman | Drew Gardiner |
Two | Kate Webb |
Three | Grant Nielsen |
Four | Isabella Cahoon |
Five | Gregson Nash |
Six | Anna Burke |
Seven | Sara Taylor |
Eight | Griffin Matern |
Nine | Lilli Graden |
Ten | Jax Jessop |
Eleven | Kaylee Call |
Twelve | Peter Gibbons |
Guard | Patrick Simmons |
Defendant | Ari Hall |
The Academy Fan Club is our theatre guild. It’s a group of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and other Academy fans. It’s designed to take the incredible spirit of volunteerism and support here and to organize it in a more formal, effective way. The Fan Club supports the Academy with teaching, feeding, building, breaking down, costuming, propping, teaching, fundraising, and other cool things that make the Academy awesome.
Most of these Fan Club opportunities don’t take much time, but they make a real difference. You can see more about the Fan Club here:
https://www.centerpointtheatre.org/academy/fan-club/
Most importantly, WE LOVE GRANDPARENTS!!!
Grandparents are some of our biggest fans, and lots of our interest in even forming the Fan Club was to involve the grands. We want to include as many of them as possible.
To get involved, you can sign up online at the link above. And if you have questions, feel free to email Margo Beecher at: academy@cptutah.org
Come play with CenterPoint Academy!
Auditions will take place by appointment from 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon. The show runs March 13th through April 11th. Shelby Ferrin will direct, Aaron Ford will choreograph and Tara Wardle will music direct.
Bring any conflicts from January 6th through April 11th along with a headshot and resume to auditions. Callbacks are scheduled for Tuesday, January 7th and Wednesday, January 8th. Rehearsals will start Monday, January 13th.
Auditions are open to all performers 8 years and older. Children are encouraged to audition with a parent or guardian. All roles are open. Come prepared to sing 30 seconds or less of a song in the style of the show. Live accompaniment will be provided. No pre-recorded music please.
Auditions will take place at the theatre located at 525 North, 400 West in Centerville. Enter in the building on the west side basement entrance. Please email the theatre at kdavies@cptutah.org to schedule an audition time.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Note: ages listed are approximate and represent how the characters read onstage, not necessarily the ages of the performers. Please note, where applicable, any requirements for on-stage intimacy or physicality.
MALE ROLES: HAROLD HILL: Smooth-talking con man and traveling salesman who beguiles the town before falling in love with Marian; overflowing with charm and charisma; kisses Marian; physically struggles with Charlie Cowell. RANGE: Ab2-F4, AGE: 30-45
MARCELLUS WASHBURN: Former con man and friend to Harold, now trying to settle down in River City; immensely likeable with comic timing; kisses Ethel; physically struggles with Charlie Cowell; leads an energetic dance. RANGE: A4-G2, AGE: 25-40
MAYOR GEORGE SHINN: The Mayor of River City, protective of his town and family; self-important, blustery, pompous, but not too bright. RANGE: Any, AGE: 40-60
WINTHROP PAROO: Marian’s adorable little brother who speaks with a lisp; precocious but moody. RANGE: C4-Eb5, AGE: 9-12
CHARLIE COWELL: Rival traveling salesman out to expose Harold Hill; determined and moralistic; kisses Marian; physically struggles with Marcellus and Harold; may also play a townsperson in some scenes. RANGE: Any, AGE: 25-45
TOMMY DJILAS: Trouble-making teenager who becomes an assistant leader of the boys’ band; rebellious but smart and handsome. RANGE: Any, AGE: 16-20
JACEY SQUIRES: Owner of livery stable and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the high tenor; married to Mrs. Squires. RANGE: C3-C5, AGE: 25-55
EWART DUNLOP: Owner of the general store and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the second tenor; married to Maud. RANGE: F3-F5, AGE: 25-55
OLIVER HIX: Banker and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the baritone; married to Alma. RANGE: B2-F4, AGE: 25-55
OLIN BRITT: Newspaper editor and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the bass. RANGE: F2-C4, AGE: 25-55
OTHER ROLES FOR MEN: Constable Locke, the town sheriff; Train conductor; Traveling salesmen; River City townspersons of all ages, shapes, and sizes some of them in “families”; River City boys/teens who sing, dance and join the boys’ band
FEMALE ROLES: MARIAN PAROO: Town librarian and piano teacher, sister of Winthrop and daughter of Mrs. Paroo; well-read, independent, head-strong, beautiful but elusive, hopelessly romantic but intensely guarded; kisses Harold and Charlie Cowell; RANGE: G3-A5, AGE: 25-35
MRS. PAROO: Widowed mother to Marian and Winthrop; sweet, cheerful, always busy, and slightly intrusive in her daughter’s love life; speaks with an Irish accent. RANGE: Ab3-Eb5, AGE: 45-55
EULALIE MACKECKNIE SHINN: Mayor Shinn’s peacock wife, a know-it-all busybody who knows everyone and everything in town; self-important, grandiose, gossipy, snobbish, and easily flattered; must have great comedic range without being over-the-top. RANGE: D4-D5, AGE: 40-50
AMARYLLIS: Marian’s piano student who likes Winthrop but teases him; sweet but a little bratty; must pretend to play the piano. RANGE: C4-E5, AGE: 9-12
ZANEETA SHINN: Mayor Shinn’s teenage daughter with a crush on Tommy Djilas; cute, feminine, a little daffy; dances energetically. RANGE: Any, AGE: 16-20
GRACIE SHINN: Mayor’s younger daughter. RANGE: Any, AGE: 9-12 ETHEL TOFFELMIER: Player piano player and town gossip who is dating Marcellus; jolly and friendly, but gossipy; kisses Marcellus. RANGE: Any, AGE: 25-35
ALMA HIX: Wife of Oliver Hix and a town gossip. RANGE: G4-G5, AGE: 25-45 MAUD DUNLOP: Wife of Ewart Dunlop and a town gossip. RANGE: G4-G5, AGE: 25-55 MRS. SQUIRES: Wife of Jacey Squires and a town gossip. RANGE: G4-G5, AGE: 25-55
OTHER ROLES FOR WOMEN/GIRLS: River City townspersons of all ages, shapes, and sizes, some of them in “families”; River City girls/teens who sing and dance.