Jurors #3 and #4

January 23, 2010

Christopher Lowell (Juror #3)

JUROR #3 (Christopher Lowell): Adorable guy, as you can see. In another life, it might have been different; he might even have been as lovable as Ben Franklin. But in this jury room he's a man with a problem, a big problem he has with his ungrateful son. He's also a bully. He's a dreadful yet all too plausible example of how personal experience and strong feelings can spill over and contaminate life---and threaten another person's welfare. Not the first person you'd choose to put on a jury if you were acting for the defense (where WAS that public defender, anyway?). Juror #3 is human---all too human, fierce and mortally wounded. And so very dangerous.

JUROR #4 (Kaleb Kohart): Very competent fellow. Extremely cool. Does well on tests. Best memory in the room, and the most organized intelligence. In another life he might have been an ace gambler, Sky Masterson, maybe. But not in this one. Unlike his previously mentioned neighbor, he will not allow emotions to intrude on his judgement-- one wonders at times if he even has emotions. His judgement can be surgical and severe. He's a natural skeptic, and his skepticism extends to the defendant's story---which admittedly is shaky, thin and not convincing. Once he has marshalled his facts, and rationally assessed them, his opinion stays firm; he holds his course--and this course doesn't bode well for the young man on trial.

Murray Ross

Murray Ross (1942–2017) was born in California to an English mother and an American father. He went east to study at Williams College where his love of Shakespeare blossomed. After graduate work in Rochester, New York; Berkeley, California; and London, England, he settled in Colorado Springs in 1975 to teach in the English Department at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He and his wife founded Theatreworks with a small group of fellow theatre lovers. He served as the artistic director of the organization for more the 40 years, and taught thousands of students in the University's theatre program, which he also founded. He directed, wrote, and adapted hundreds of plays at Theatreworks and across the country. In his own words, which appeared as the last line of his directing bio for years, he was married to the painter Elizabeth Ross, was the father of four splendid sons, and was regularly walked by his dog, Toby.

Murray Ross

Murray Ross (1942–2017) was born in California to an English mother and an American father. He went east to study at Williams College where his love of Shakespeare blossomed. After graduate work in Rochester, New York; Berkeley, California; and London, England, he settled in Colorado Springs in 1975 to teach in the English Department at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He and his wife founded Theatreworks with a small group of fellow theatre lovers. He served as the artistic director of the organization for more the 40 years, and taught thousands of students in the University's theatre program, which he also founded. He directed, wrote, and adapted hundreds of plays at Theatreworks and across the country. In his own words, which appeared as the last line of his directing bio for years, he was married to the painter Elizabeth Ross, was the father of four splendid sons, and was regularly walked by his dog, Toby.