What is a dramaturgy blog?
This blog will serve as a source of research and information for the cast and crew of GPAC's Ragtime. Each post will address specific topics or areas of interest presented in the show. Dramaturgy is meant to highlight the historical, social, political, and economical context of the play as well as answer any questions presented by the cast and crew. Instead of printing packets of information for the cast, this online blog will allow me to continuously share research, pictures, video, music, etc - without wasting any paper! The blog will constantly be updated and under construction so feel free to email me about specific topics: JoanMarieHurwit@gmail.com.
Mateo Gonzales, 9
Little Boy
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?
Classic
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
Tateh because he works hard trying to take care of his little girl.
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
Ragtime time is relevant to today because people today struggle with some of the same issues in the play.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime?
It is educational and entertaining.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want the audience to leave seeing how hard we worked and maybe some of them humming the songs.
Brennen Klitzner, 10
Little Boy
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you? Old-fashion.
- Which character do you most identify with? Why? The Little Boy because I’m 10 years old.
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today? To show people today what it was like in different families many years ago.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime? To enjoy a good story with music.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical? To feel like they are part of our show.
Laken Thorson, 16
Reporter/ Jewish Immigrant
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?
Power
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
I think the character I most identify with is Mother because I always find myself trying to help and accept people no matter; I too always try to do whats right even if it's not acceptable. I admire her power and bravery to take on something she knew would not be easy. She is an remarkable person.
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
It shows how far we have come as a country and how far some of us still need to go. Without the struggle and fighting in the past we would not have what we have today. This show has helped me realize how great I have it and how people in the past helped me get that. At the end of the day we all have hopes and dreams. We are no better than anyone else.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime?
Today's audience should watch Ragtime because, besides it being an amazing show, you leave feeling something. I think it will help people realize the common struggle we all have: you are not alone.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I would like the audience to leave feeling inspired. I want them to go home and think about what they saw and incorporate the values into their lives. I want them to learn something. I would like them to leave feeling something they never felt before.
Brianna Feingold, 19
Charity Worker/ Clerk/ Immigrant
- What does Ragtime mean to you?
Growth and experience
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
Ragtime definitely IS relevant to today. It deals with many economic and social issues that we are all still dealing with, just in a different. It's easy to relate to.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want them to not only watch the show, but experience it. I feel it's important for the audience to identify with the show, in some or many aspects; from the influential people of our time to the memorable songs, there is something for everyone!
Abby Klitzner, 15
Evelyn Nesbit
- What does Ragtime mean to you?
Transformation and acceptance
- What character do you most identify with?
I believe that I mostly identify with Mother -- she does her absolute best to care for a discriminated-against mother and child, even though people are against her doing so. She stands strong and knows that she is doing, not what is necessarily right to the rest of society, but what is morally the right thing to do.
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
Ragtime expresses the discrimination against multiple races and their fight for acceptance in America. Today, although we are much more accepting of peoples' races and differences, there are still those who chose to not to have tolerance for others, just like many characters in Ragtime.
- What do you want the audience to take away from this musical?
I want the audience to take away from this musical exactly what I did throughout the rehearsal process: to watch the emotional journey of many characters in a harsh world and really seeing the discrimination and hatred against others because of their race. It has really made me think about how lucky we are today. This show is so empowering and has taught me so much.
Robert Bryant, 18
Booker T. Washington/Harlem people/Haitian immigrant
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?
Revolutionary
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
Coalhouse, because he is doing whatever it is necessary to fight for what's right in a unjust society where people aren't willing to listen unless you're a white man.
- Why is Ragtime relevant today?
Ragtime is relevant today because we still have racism, which is plain disgusting... Nobody has the right to judge another human being just because of the color of their skin or their gender... everybody has the right to their dreams.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want them to walk out feeling moved and humming to some of the songs! I would also like to give everyone a reminder of what "the struggle" was like back then.
Kathrina Feigh Aranas, 18
Sarah's Friend (Vocalist)/Harlem woman/Haitian immigrant
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
Ragtime is still relevant to today because it is challenging and difficult to accept people for who they are. Everyday, different people are there to remind us that everyone is unique and they should not be judged just because of their race, gender, or color. Also, we pursue our dreams to make a better future for the next generation and every single day is another step to achieve that goal.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime?
I believe that after watching Ragtime, the audience will be inspired to be better people. They will also find out what it was like during the 1900s and how the Americans, the immigrants, and the colored people faced the challenges that they had to go through. By watching this, I hope they think about how they could deal with their own challenges in today's world.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
They should learn how to respect others for who they are, accept changes in their lives and their society, and chase the American dream for a better future. I hope the audience enjoys this production as much as I enjoyed working on it. Ragtime is a very moving, powerful, and meaningful musical. I believe that it will touch the audiences' hearts and minds.
Summer Thorson, 16
Kathleen/Immigrant/White attorney
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?
Love
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
The character I believe I identify with the most would have to be Emma Goldman. When I become extremely passionate about something I take charge and I don't give up until I achieve my goals. I also love helping people.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime?
The musical can really open our eyes to problems we still might face and can really show us the benefits from change. We do have a lot of the same problems these days and this musical is great for awareness that we all are people no matter what size shape or color. This musical can also show how strong love can really be.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want the audience to leave with a feeling that they made a difference just by watching it. I want them to feel that such a musical was written to show people the world in its true form and allow us to be able to make better decisions in our real life. I also want people to have a greater respect for one another.
Brandon Holzer, 15
Younger Brother/Stanford White
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
I feel like I mostly identify with Younger Brother because he is very susceptible to the things around him. That is not to say that I fall into peer pressure, but I take in everything that is going on around me and it generally changes my outlook on things. Also, he doesn't care what society thinks about a certain type of people or what people look like or their background, just that they will stand up and fight for what they believe in.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime?
I think today's audience should watch Ragtime because not only is the music beautiful, but each song pulls on a different emotion and will make you feel things that you may not have even known you had in you! Also, the story is so compelling, that you will realize even further the effects of intolerance and racism.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want the audience to realize that while change is inevitable, it can be for the best.
Lenar Jones, 18
Coalhouses Follower/Black Lawyer/People of Harlem/Haitian immigrant
- What does Ragtime mean to you?
Change and finding the American Dream
- Which character do you most identify with?
The character I most Identify with would probably be younger brother because he stands up for what's right.
- Why should today's audience watch Ragtime?
Today's audience should watch Ragtime because, to me, this show has a great message and shows what people had to go through in that time. And also, the music in this show is amazing :)
- What do you want the audience to walk away with?
I just want the audience to be moved by this musical and hopefully get a better understanding of what happened during that time.
Donovan Mendelovitz, 18
Father, Harry Houdini
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?
Acceptance
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
I identify most with Younger Brother. He is an extremely passionate person (as are all of the characters in the story), but he feels empty without something to "live for." I know that without something to put all my positive energy towards, life is not worth experiencing.
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
Ragtime is relevant in the sense that it teaches us to learn from our country's history. We must learn to continue accepting those who are different and not discriminate. Whether it's religion, race, beliefs, sexuality, social status, etc., we can never stop accepting that others are different. It has makes me think about how grateful I am to live in a world where we now can live in harmony with people of all sorts, and I believe that audiences can learn a great deal about that from this powerful show.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want the audience to truly take in the story and how incredible it is. But I really want audiences to really internalize the music. In my opinion, Ragtime has one of the most epic scores in all musical theatre history, and I hope audiences can appreciate that as much as the cast does.
Gabriella Certo, 15
Emma Goldman
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
I most identify with Emma Goldman, actually. She is a leader and a fighter. I'm not as much of a fighter but I am passionate about what I believe in and I will fight for what I think is right.
- Why is Ragtime relevant today?
In Ragtime, there is a lot of discrimination and racism. Although we, as a society, have become a much more open minded world, there are still many stereotypes and quite a lot of frowning upon people who are different, physically or emotionally.
- Why should today's audience watch Ragtime?
Today's audience should watch this musical and learn how hurt people can be by the simplest form of discrimination. They should also see how change can be a good thing. We are all afraid of change but it can lead to better things and we should be open to it because it's inevitable.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want the audience to leave the show with a feeling of being open minded and thinking twice before they say something insulting or before they make fun of someone for being different then everyone else. I want them to treat people as equals.
Jeremy Harris, 16
Father/Harry K. Thaw/Willie Conklin
Which character do you most identify with? Why?
I most identify with the role Father. In the play, Father has a difficult time adapting to the changes he sees around him. This includes both societal change as well as social change. Father is, moreover, fearful of these almost sudden changes in everything around him. I myself have an extremely hard time adjusting to any change that occurs in my life. This consists of change in people, change in surrounding, change in self, and so on. This naturally causes me to become very nostalgic for the past. The character Father has strong feelings of nostalgia for the past and it is expressed in almost every song the character sings.
Why should today's audience watch Ragtime?
Today's audience should watch Ragtime because we as a nation are living through the Turn of the 21st Century and it is very important to see just how far we have come as a nation and to see how much we have changed these last 100 years or so. Just like in one's life, there is always a perfect time to stop, look back, and reflect on the past because the future really does rely on the events of the past.
Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
Ragtime is relevant to America in general. This show can be played 50 years from now and it will still be just as relevant as it was when even the book was published. It may not be relevant for the same reasons, but it will always be relevant to the strong Objectivist beliefs that America has held in the past and although it is very little today, it's starting to rise again...unfortunately. (I know, I know! The Objectivist movement didn't happen until 1943 and wasn't fully active until the 1960's, but Objectivism is such a messed up philosophy anyway that Ayn Rand didn't even realize that Objectivist beliefs were very strongly held in the Turn of the 20th Century even though it wasn't labeled "Objectivism" yet. AND, by the way, those strong corporate beliefs led us to something called The Great Depression.... yeah.) Now, I am NOT saying that ALL Objectivist beliefs were held in the Turn of the 20th Century, I'm merely pointing out the Laissez Faire, capitalistic side of it as well as the overly strong beliefs in individualism. I'm NOT a Communist by the way.
Trevor James Berger, 15
Younger Brother/Stanford White
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?
Change
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
I identify with Younger Brother because like him, I am always in search for something new and exciting to happen.
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?
It deals with still existing issues in society today.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime?
It can give them more perspective on what people in that time went through and how America has been affected by it for good and for bad… change will happen and being open to change can get you far.
Tami Kricheff, 18
Immigrant/Reporter/Assorted Ensemble members
- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?
Discovery
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?
I don't really identify with one character, but I identify with each character in different ways. If I had to choose, probably Emma Goldman. Why? I really have no idea, other than the fact that she is a fighter, and she wants what's right for her group of people. I just like how tough she is and how she won't take crap from anyone because her people were being treated so unfairly, and she is definitely not afraid to speak her mind and fight for what's right.
- Why should today’s audience watch Ragtime?
…it really makes you realize how lucky we are to have access to the things we do, to have supportive family and friends, and it makes you think about what other peoples' misfortunes are and how you can make a difference by understanding where they come from, what they may have had to deal with in life, and how they relate to you.
- What do you want the audience to take away from the musical?
I want the audience to take away that change is inevitable, whether it's for better or worse... it's how you deal with it that shapes your character and our society today as a whole. Remember, everyone has the same rights and no human being should ever feel stepped all over or less than anyone else. Also, don't take anything for granted because once it's taken away, you may never get it back. Oh, and of course... MUSIC. It's a way of life that unites us as people, and it's a language that everyone can speak and read fluently!
Nick Morganella, 16
Grandfather/ Assorted Ensemble members
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- In one word, what does Ragtime mean to you?Growth
- Which character do you most identify with? Why?I think I identify with Tateh the most because he stands up for what he believes in and does his best to help those close to him.
- Why is Ragtime relevant to today?Ragtime is relevant to today because it represents times of social inequality and the fight to change it, and I believe that those ideas are still present.
