`JURY ROOM' AUDIENCE WILL HAVE TO THINK

JACKSON -- It was tough for English instructor Tracy Fisher to find the perfect play for her first year at Jackson High School.

In picking one, Fisher, the director, looked for certain qualities. It had to have more female roles than male since more high school girls try out for plays. It couldn't have too many roles in case interest in participation wasn't there.

She didn't want another comedy, traditions at many high schools.

Finally, after reading 12 plays, she picked one about 12 people -- "The Jury Room." It had the makings of a hit, tapping Americans' current fascination with juries and the legal system.

And it had a message: Things aren't always as they appear.

Students at Jackson High School will present the play at 7 p.m. tonight and Friday in the school auditorium. Admission is $3 for adults and $1.50 for students.

The play is about 12 jurors left to decide the fate of a young girl, Julie Fletcher, accused of killing her wealthy uncle. Eleven jurors think she is guilty, but one, a student actress, convinces the group to act out the testimonies they heard to understand them better.

The actress becomes Fletcher, the foreman becomes her uncle and each juror takes the role of a witness, resulting in a play within a play. Emotions run high and simulated murder threatens to become real murder during the course of deliberations.

Students have been practicing their parts since January. Each has a challenge -- everyone is on stage constantly for all three acts.

"There's a lot of talent at this school," Fisher said. "A lot of these kids I'd never seen before, but then we had a Drama Club acting contest in the fall and a lot of kids turned out. I was impressed."

Twenty-five students tried out for the 12 roles, so there was no problem filling them. Several of the actors and actresses have been in school plays before. Ryan Steck, a senior, has participated every year since he was a sophomore.

In "The Jury Room," he plays Angry Man, a juror intent on convicting the accused no matter what the evidence says. Steck said he hoped the audience would be surprised by the play's twists and turns.

"The play is more challenging than any other one I've been in," he said. "I hope it will be suspenseful for the audience."

Heather Blackwell, another senior and veteran of Jackson High School performances, has the dual role of Julie Fletcher and The Actress. She said "The Jury Room" is a big switch from the comedies she has done, but it is a vehicle to explore another side of her acting abilities.

"Some people see this as just fun, and it is fun," Blackwell said. "But I see it as more than that. I'm always looking for a break to go further in acting."

She said she enjoyed her characters because, although they can be stubborn and bratty, they stand on their beliefs.

Other participants in the play are: Nathan Huck as the Foreman, Jenny Wilkinson as the Blonde, Missy Miller as the First Old Lady, Jessica Winkler as The Second Old Lady, Matt Reno as the Man with Glasses, Jo Etta Snell as the Brunette, Marc Stephens as the Young Man, Erica McQuay as the Society Lady, Lynn Casteel as the Shy Girl and Joseph Myers as the Middle-Aged Man.

Student director is Beth Lefebvre.