Productions

A Lesson Before Dying

The News and Observer Arts and Entertainment article, "A Year in the Arts: Best Theater" (Sunday, December 25, 2004) named The Justice Theater Project's production of "A Lesson Before Dying" one of the top 10 best locally produced shows of 2004. Our most recent production of "Nickel and Dimed" was also mentioned in the article as a "timely issue with strong political resonance".

From The Independent Weekly (Wednesday, January 5, 2005), The Justice Theater Project’s “A Lesson Before Dying” won the “Special Achievements in the Humanities” Award; about the award, the Indy writes: “Inaugurated last year to recognize work that goes well beyond the traditional definitions of ‘community outreach,’ this award recognizes work whose humanitarian impact clearly extends beyond the walls of a theater, to aid—and, at times, challenge—this region as it grapples with the issues of our day.”

The Indy also recognized “A Lesson Before Dying” as one of 2004’s top 10 “Best Productions”; three of our actors won awards in the 2004 “Best Supporting Actors” category; and Deb Royals-Mizerk was recognized as one of only seven “Best Directors” of 2004.

About The Justice Theater Project’s Production of A Lesson Before Dying

In 1948 Louisiana, the sensitive and innocent Jefferson is condemned to death by an all white jury. At his trial, Jefferson’s lawyer claims the uneducated Jefferson is no more a human being than a hog, lacking the mental skills to commit the pre-meditated murder he is charged with. Jefferson takes his lawyer’s words to heart and, once in prison, acts as though he were as intelligent as a hog, insisting that he will be dragged like a hog to his death in the electric chair. His godmother, Miss Emma, terribly distressed by the situation, insists that Jefferson be educated so as to die with dignity at the time of his execution. Miss Emma persuades a reluctant schoolteacher, Grant Wiggins, to face his own cynicism and negativity to try to get through to Jefferson before he dies. Not surprisingly, the teacher learns as much as the condemned.

Ernest J. Gaines’ celebrated novel makes an engrossing, moving and ultimately devastating play for the stage.

The Justice Theatre Project in cooperation with the Arts for Justice Ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church brings this compelling and transformative story to life. In light of the proposed moratorium on the death penalty in NC and recent events around wrongful convictions, it is a timely and unique event. The production of “A Lesson Before Dying” will feature an innovative “Talk-Back” segment to encourage dialog and discussion among the audience.

“A Lesson Before Dying” is about the ways in which people insist on declaring the value of their lives in a time and place in which those lives count for nothing. It is about the ways in which the imprisoned find freedom even in the moment of their death. It powerfully addresses the basic predicament of what it is to be a human being striving for dignity in a world that often denies it. The death penalty is an important and timely topic. In 2003, 65 executions were committed in the US: 24 in Texas, 14 in Oklahoma and 7 in North Carolina.

A Columbia University study (“A Broken System, Part II: Why There Is So Much Error in Capital Cases, and What Can Be Done About It”) has concluded that the nation’s death penalty system is “collapsing under the weight” of errors.

North Carolina is a death-penalty state with a sentencing rate that is four times that of Virginia, and nearly twice the rate of Texas. A moratorium resolution has growing bipartisan support. 70% of North Carolinians favor a moratorium and more than 80% of North Carolinians believe it is likely there are innocent people on death row in the state.

Related Events

Press

Best Theater: Monday, December 27

Theater doesn't get more relevant than The Justice Theater Project's "A Lesson Before Dying." On the stage was a drama about a wrongly accused prisoner awaiting his execution. In real life, a month before the play opened, there was North Carolina death row inmate Alan Gell, exonerated six years after a jury had found him guilty of murder. To underscore the connection, Gell introduced the play at one of its three Raleigh performances.
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JTP 2004 Indy Awards: Wednesday, January 05

In the Wednesday, January 5, 2005 edition of the Independent Weekly, The Justice Theater Project’s “A Lesson Before Dying” won the “Special Achievements in the Humanities” Award.
Read more...