The Play Was The Thing At The 88th Annual Meeting

On June 4, the Delaware Center for Justice celebrated its 88th anniversary at the Baby Grand in a new and dramatic way – by featuring a reader’s theater production of The Exonerated, followed by a sparkling wine and dessert reception.

More than 150 people attended the annual meeting to experience this unique play, which was written by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, two actors who traveled the country to interview several individuals who had been convicted of crimes they did not commit and sentenced to death before being exonerated – in one case, 22 years later. Using their stories, the authors created interwoven narratives that highlight how in the face of injustice, the human spirit is a powerful thing. And powerful was the show, eliciting from the audience a standing ovation.

Featured in the production, directed by Sima Robbins, was a talented cast, most of whom have been very active in community theater: Kathy Buterbaugh, Maurice Chambers, Brian Couch, Slate Gaymon, Richard Gaw, Manon Matthews Neal, Omar Rashada, Gary Robbins, Kristyn Robinson, and James Shanahan. The director and cast were all volunteers, spending hundreds of hours between March and June rehearsing for the one performance.

Also at the annual meeting, DCJ presented the William A. Vrooman “Exemplar of Justice Award” to Kevin O’Connell, for his unflagging commitment to a humane and equitable criminal justice system. In his remarks, which blended humor with seriousness, Kevin thanked his parents and his wife and children for helping inspire him and support him as he carries out his crusade – often quite vocally – for a higher standard of justice.

< Back to the Events page