Music Theatre International presented the award to Cherry Hill East on Thursday. The school received the award based on its ability to address the serious issues of hate speech, race and class conflicts with positive civil discourse.
Cherry Hill High School East’s efforts to address hate speech, race conflicts and other issues through the musical, “Ragtime,” have been recognized through an award from Music Theatre International.
MTI presented its Courage in Theatre Award to Cherry Hill High School East on Thursday, March 16 at the conclusion of a student production of the show.
It is the third time in 14 years this award has been given to a school. MTI says the decision to award Cherry Hill East was based on the East community’s ability to address the serious issues of hate speech, race and class conflicts with positive civil discourse.
The Courage in Theatre Award is presented when an arts organization has “confronted challenges that threaten their ability to explore or express their artistic vision in positive ways, even if it means taking an unpopular stance.”
To help encourage discussion in the school community, lessons took place in Cherry Hill East history and English classes revolving around the musical’s themes. The lessons included guest speakers, discussion and a presentation. All students also had the option to see “Ragtime” performed during the school day.
Cherry Hill East presented “Ragtime” without alterations to the script after a debate over the language used in the show took place in the community. Prior to the show’s opening in February, members of the cast explained why “Ragtime” was an important show to perform.
“You learn from your history and you learn not to repeat what you did in the past,” freshman Jade Willingham said. “We want to remind people that it’s wrong to minoritize other people, blacks, whites, Irish, anyone. It doesn’t matter.”
“Even though it’s just a musical, there’s a lot more to it than that,” senior Cedric Middleton said. “When we read history textbooks, we just read it and forget about it the next day. I hope the intellectual impact of the musical will help people remember the messages.”
In March, actor Brian Stokes Mitchell, who performed as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the original Broadway production of “Ragtime,” visited Cherry Hill East to talk about some of the themes presented in the show.
Mitchell said he was impressed with the discussion that took place in the Cherry Hill community about the show.
“I’m really really heartened by the fact that so much discussion has been going on in this community,” Mitchell said. “That’s the reason I’m here, because people are talking about it.”
Community members have one more chance to see “Ragtime” this weekend. Performances will take place on 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $14 per person and can be purchased at the door or by calling the Cherry Hill East Theatre box office at (856) 424–2222 ext. 2019.
