Tyler Man Was One of Six 'Exonerated'
This week in the city known as the execution capital of the
United States, the Sam Houston State University Theatre Department
will perform a play about six innocent people who were sentenced
to death and later freed.
They include Kerry Max Cook, a Tyler man who spent 20 years
in prison including a number of years on Texas' Death Row
but was freed after DNA tests indicated he was innocent.
"The Exonerated" is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday
through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Saturday in the University
Theatre Center's Showcase Theatre.
"The Exonerated" was written by Jessica Blank and
Erik Jensen after attending a conference in 2000, at Columbia
University about the death penalty. The play is meant to raise
awareness about the flaws in the American justice system.
Theatre professor Thomas Prior is directing the play and has
enjoyed the experience. Prior said that working on "The
Exonerated" with students "really makes them aware
of the power of theatre as an instrument of social change."
The cast of "The Exonerated" has gone through a
comprehensive preparation process to get ready for their roles.
According to Prior, the first week of rehearsal the cast did
"table work" where the cast went through the script
and talked about the facts of each persons case.
The cast also attended a tour of the Wynne Unit here in Huntsville
and the protest of Francis Newton's execution on September
14.
A talk back session is scheduled for the Friday, October 14
performance, during which a panel of four experts and the
audience can give their opinions on the the death penalty.
Dennis Longmire, professor of criminal justice, and Michelle
Lyons, a former reporter and now a public affairs officer
for the Texas prison system, are set to be on the panel. Prior
said he attempted to get panelists that ranged from conservative
to liberal on the death penalty issue.
"The Exonerated" will be this year's SHSU entry
in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. That
program is dedicated to providing opportunities for students
to develop their theatre skills and achieve professionalism,
as well as improving the quality of college and university
theater in America.
The University Theatre Box Office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
on weekdays during the week of a show and from 9 a.m. until
curtain time on performance days. Ticket prices are $8. For
additional information call 936.294.1329.
—END—
Reported by Alexanda Hickman
SHSU Media Contact: Frank
Krystyniak
Oct. 11, 2005
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.
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