Theater is Back at Texas A&M International University!

         Texas A&M International University kicks off its spring theater season by presenting the play 12 Angry Jurors written by Reginald Rose. 12 Angry Jurors will be performed at the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre on Thursday, March 27 at 8 p.m. through, March 29 at 8 p.m. With a special Matinee on Sunday March 30th at 3 p.m. This play is directed by Dr. Gilberto Martinez, admission is only $5 dollars and free for any TAMIU alumni with a current TAMIU ID.
         Martinez has put together a wonderful cast with a mix of experienced actors and fresh new talent. The Bridge had a chance to talk to a few cast members and this is what they had to say about their excitement of being a part of 12 Angry Jurors. The Bridge first interviewed Gabriela Galvan who is a sophomore at TAMIU and is majoring in communications with a minor in theater. Gabriela has booked her second show after being cast in last semester's theatrical play entitled Words, Words, Words written by David Ives and directed by Maria Elena Hernandez.
Galvan shared with a very clear sense of confidence, "This is my first big production. I am really excited to be able to work with some new actors, some veterans, and definitely having stage direction from people who really know about theater. Seniors who are about to graduate really help guide us and that is what makes working in this environment so pleasant.
"The way I get prepared as an actress is embodying the character I am playing for example I am portraying an elderly women so it's hard work but in the end it helps me grow not only as an actress but as an individual," she mentions. "I would recommend the audience to come and see this play because it's an Emmy winning play which has won many awards. Many people who have seen it before have seen it played by older actors and what makes this more dynamic and fresh is seeing younger actors embody this characters and making them work really well I really believe people will enjoy it."
The Bridge also talked to Ingrid Martinez a sophomore at TAMIU majoring in English. This is Martinez first theatrical play, ¨ I am learning as we go along and it's exciting to know that we open next week but this is a great cast and I honestly believe we will do a good job. I won't lie I am nervous but I come to practice on time learn from my director Dr. Martinez and enjoy every second I am on stage. I would recommend the audience to come and watch this show because everyone in the end can make their own assumptions and opinion that is what to me makes this play so interesting¨.
The Bridge also interviewed Horacio Romo de Alba who is majoring in business and this is what Romo de Alba told the bridge ¨ I wanted to try theater because I have difficulty speaking English and I thought to myself this could be a wonderful experience to help me overcome this challenge. This is my first play and I am very excited and if I had to invite the audience to attend I would tell them that this a is a great play because the script is written so interestingly that every single word that comes out of all the actors mouths might be a hint. But the final decision is yours to make come you will have fun.¨
As any actor may know what makes a good production are not only the actors and the director but the people who work behind the scenes I decided to interview the costume designer Cristina Gomez who is majoring in Journalism. This is what Gomez had to say
¨ Working behind the scenes gives me a chance to be a little bit more creative because I get to know the actors and then come up with a concept of who their characters are and what they will wear. Especially since that is the first thing the audience will visibly notice giving them a hint of the characters personality. We have to make sure they look great and feel very comfortable with what they are wearing this helps me put my artistic background to work. I am so excited that the production is just around the corner I think people will really enjoy it¨.

12 Angry Jurors will be performing from 27th through the 29th of March at 8pm with a special matinee on Sunday the 30th at 3 pm. 12 Angry Jurors promises entertainment and fun for the whole community of Laredo.

For more information, call 956.326.ARTS or email gilberto.martinez@tamiu.edu