Law student's play explores the mind of late Supreme Court justice

In a unique independent study, one Brandeis School of Law third-year student scripted a play about late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Ryan Russell and a classmate will perform "First Among Equals" at 7 p.m. May 10 at UofL's Thrust Theatre. Tickets are $5; students with ID can buy a ticket for $3.

The play explores Justice Scalia's brand of originalism — the belief that judges should interpret the Constitution with the meaning it had when it was written. Although geared toward a legal-minded audience, Russell says he tried to make the play accessible to a broader population. 

The format of the play is a fictionalized final conversation between Justice Scalia and a young law clerk.

"The clerk is way dumber than any clerk should be," Russell said, adding that the clerk's lack of knowledge gives the Justice Scalia character a chance to explain more complex legal ideas. Among the topics the characters will discuss are same-sex marriage, abortion and the Affordable Care Act.

Russell, who will graduate this weekend, performed in musicals in high school, took a few acting classes in college and has performed stand-up comedy. The play originated out of a writing assignment for Professor Luke Milligan's Jurisprudence course.

"Ryan has become something of an expert on Justice Antonin Scalia during his years at Brandeis. Being that Ryan also has a background in the creative arts, an original theatrical work about Scalia seemed to be a natural Independent Study project for his 3L year," said Milligan. " 'First Among Equals' is very well written, jurisprudentially sound, and a lot of fun. It's been a pleasure to supervise his work. Anyone even remotely interested in the Supreme Court will enjoy themselves."

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Brandeis School of Law's chapter of the Federalist Society.