Dead Man Walking

by Sherry Weeks, Theatre Department

At the beginning of November, the Upper School students presented Dead Man Walking. This play was written by Tim Robbins, who wrote the movie script by the same name, based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean. For AIS to take on this production, there had to be some studies on the subject of the death penalty integrated into our school curriculum, so that this became a school-wide project that consequently heightened awareness of this sensitive topic. Cynthia Price, a Primary School parent, very kindly arranged for Justice Norman Fletcher to come and speak to the Upper School community. She also arranged for Chris Adams, a Georgia capital defender, to come and discuss the death penalty in an open forum with the cast. The students who took part in Dead Man Walking traveled an intense and emotional journey from the six weeks of rehearsal through to the four performances of the production. Both Rob and I are very proud of what those students were able to achieve. We thank them for immersing themselves fully into the work process and for committing so enthusiastically to the production. We hope this opened up many discussions, as was the intention of the project placed before us by Sister Helen Prejean who wrote the book.

Here are a few words from the cast and audience members:

"Another amazing winner – sensitive, thought-provoking, intense subject matter resulting in a production professionally presented and interpreted by our talented thespians." (Maggie Baillie, Head of Grade 6)

"It was very intense and I was proud of them all. I have been covering the subject in the curriculum and everything became clearer afterwards, and I only wish that I had insisted that all my students see the production." (Françoise Mischaikow, French teacher)

"I appreciated seeing all sides and points of view of the death penalty." (Layne Stabler, US Office)

"It was more real than I could have ever imagined." (Ben Tracy, Grade 11)

"It made me open my eyes to some things that I wouldn’t have necessarily inquired about." (Emilie Chappatte, Grade 11)

"Dead Man Walking was an immense experience. A new insight regarding the death penalty aside, I feel that the biggest thing that I walked away with was the knowledge that we touched at least someone in the audience each night. The experience of working in this play will stay with me for the rest of my life." (Ashur Rayis, Grade 11)