The University of Scranton Players began their run of “And The Justice Plays Its Part” May 2.  

The play was written by Gabriella Palmer, a junior English major at the University and directed by Myracle Brunette, a junior theater major.  

The story follows an ambitious young lawyer named Nicole (played by Cassidy Lowman) who takes on the case of defending upcoming actress Vivien Anderson (played by Rebecca Russo). Vivien is facing a defamation lawsuit after writing a play about her own sexual assault.

The play examines the intricacies of the justice system while highlighting the power of language as a way to fight injustice.  

“The heart of this show has become two women fighting a legal system that time and time again fails women,” Palmer said. “I think that has been, even more than I thought it would be, the thing that drew people to this project. I think it's a story people need to hear right now.”  

Palmer, a student on the pre-law track, wrote the play as part of her fellowship with the Slattery Center for the Humanities, where she is currently doing research on the presence of theatrical technique in the law. The Slattery Center co-produced the play along with The University of Scranton Players.  

“Incorporating my research into this play has been difficult, and I struggled to find the balance of how to educate with the words I use while keeping the audience entertained,” Palmer said.  

Because the production is an entirely original work built by the Players’ own students, it has been a unique experience.  

Cassidy Lowman said it has been a great experience taking on a brand-new role that no one has played before.  

“This is my first time being involved in a show that has never been performed before, and I am the first person to ever play my character,” Lowman said. “I’ve loved getting to know Nicole and trying to do her story justice.”

Palmer said seeing the actors bring her work to life has been truly rewarding.  

“Working with them has truly been fantastic, and I love everything each person brings,” Palmer said. “Theater is a very collaborative art, so the actors add so much to my words.”

“Our playwright and director have given me so much creative freedom to make my own choices and bring a lot of myself into the character, which has been an incredibly rewarding and healing process,” Lowman said.  

Palmer hopes her play will inspire audiences and leave them with a powerful message.

“I want the audience to leave empowered because, at its heart, this story is about the ways we can use our voices to make a difference,” Palmer said. “I hope people leave inspired to do so, as we all endeavor to create a more just world. It’s a very Jesuit idea.”  

The play ran from May 2 to May 4, and it was the Players’ final production for the year.  

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