KD Conservatory Presents 12 ANGRY JURORS

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts presents their summer theatrical production 12 Angry Jurors by Reginald Rose under the direction of new KD Conservatory school director Mike Schraeder. The play opens August 2nd, followed by performances August 3rd and 4th, and August 9th through August 11th. All performances are at 7:30 pm and will be held at the T.A. Taylor Theatre on the KD Conservatory Campus, 2600 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for KD Conservatory students and alumni. Tickets are available at the box office at KD Conservatory and online at brownpapertickets.com.

Reginald Rose's classic drama was originally produced as the teleplay 12 Angry Men for CBS television in 1954, followed by the successful stage adaptation in 1955, and the multiple Academy Award nominated film version in 1957 starring Henry Fonda and directed by Sidney Lumet. Rose's drama starts at the beginning of jury deliberations for a homicide case involving a 16 year-old boy and his murdered father. The twelve jurors must unanimously agree on a verdict. A guilty verdict will result in a mandatory death sentence. Initially, the jurors nearly have a unanimous decision of guilty. One juror, however, stands alone as a dissenter, encouraging the rest of the jury to discuss the case in more detail because of the severity of the punishment the teenage boy faces. As the deliberation ensues, many of the jurors overtly and inadvertently reveal their personal prejudices toward the young defendant's race and socio-economic background.

KD Conservatory's school director and the director of 12 Angry Jurors Mike Schraeder chose this American classic for its contemporary relevance.

"Current issues with the American value of justice has lent this play a brand new relevance. This play no longer has an old-fashioned vibe," says Schraeder. "We believe our production will illuminate Reginald Rose's original intention-to reveal the authentic inner-workings of our justice system, a system that relies on citizens...rich, poor, educated, uneducated, and all of their prejudices and flaws, as much as it relies on law enforcement, attorneys, and judges. Hopefully, our play will accentuate the current bias toward groups and individuals we deem guilty based on their race, religion, or political affiliations."

The cast of Twelve Angry Jurors is comprised of current and recent graduates of KD Conservatory. Schraeder chose to do the mixed-gendered version of Rose's play in order to contemporize it and to take advantage of the conservatory's multi-ethnic student body.

"KD Conservatory has students from all walks of life. Our student body is a beautiful representation of our diverse nation," says Schraeder. "This brings authenticity to our production's juror deliberation room. It is an environment which encompasses citizens of all backgrounds who are brought together for one single purpose, to choose a fair and logical verdict for each person standing trial. Our nation's concept of justice is actualized daily in rooms occupied by 12 strangers attempting to cooperate. They have to put aside personal differences and work together in order to make the judicial system function."

Celebrating 40 years of professional training, KD Conservatory is dedicated to the development of actors and filmmakers and to the creation of avenues into the professional world of entertainment. KD's students develop skills that enable them to realize their full potential in the theatre and film industries in a supportive and creative environment.

If you would like more information about KD Conservatory's play 12 Angry Jurors, their degree programs and workshops, please call (214) 638-0484 or email mschraeder@kdstudio.com. 12 Angry Jurors runs August 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th 10th, 11th at the T.A. Taylor Theatre on the KD Conservatory campus located at 2600 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207. Visit us at kdstudio.com