Ragtime Roles: Booker T. Washington

Written by Devin Lackey
Edited by Teal Lepley

While all audiences may not be familiar with the musical Ragtime, they are almost certainly familiar with some of the historical figures it portrays. Ragtime itself is set in early 20th century New York, telling the intertwining stories of three communities: the African American community in Harlem, the immigrants of the Lower East Side, and the upper-class white New Rochelle neighborhood. While the musical focuses on fictional families from these communities, historical figures fill the fringes of the story, at times almost forming a Greek chorus to comment on events. One of these figures is Booker T. Washington, a leader, educator, and spokesperson for the African American community.

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in Virginia in 1856.  After his family gained freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation, they relocated to West Virginia, where Washington attended school for the first time. He later moved to Virginia to further his education and later teach at Hampton Institute, which led to his role as the leader and founder of the new Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. Through this role, he soon became a spokesman for black education.

In time, Booker T. Washington became a popular orator and social leader as well, focusing on bringing educational and economic growth for the African American population in the country. He famously gave a speech known as the Atlanta Compromise in 1895, announcing an agreement between leaders of the African American community and Southern white leaders. He also founded the National Negro Business League to inspire the commercial advancement of African Americans. After the publication of his bestselling autobiography, Up from Slavery, Washington gained widespread popularity, even earning him an unprecedented invitation to dine at the White House with President Theodore Roosevelt. In later years, he served as an advisor to both Presidents Roosevelt and William Taft on racial matters before his death in 1915.

Nowadays, his legacy lives on in the musical Ragtime, which originally premiered on Broadway in 1998. In the show, Booker T. Washington serves as a mediator between races and voices concerns of the people of Harlem. As the fictional characters of the show face questions of justice and revenge, Washington acts as an advocate for patience and dignity, speaking against using violence as a means for justice.

For NC State University Theatre’s upcoming production, Booker T. Washington is played by Poultry Science major Roman Lawrence. A Durham native and a veteran of University Theatre’s stage, Lawrence is reputed in the theater community for his welcoming attitude and perpetual smile. “I enjoy acting simply because it’s just so much fun being able to be other people and bring stories to life,” he said, adding that after he graduates, he hopes to pursue acting as a career.

[pullquote color=”wolfpackred” align=”alignright”]Participating in University Theatre has been one of the best decisions I have ever made[/pullquote]

Despite the many characters Roman Lawrence has brought to life onstage, Ragtime offers a unique challenge. “Booker T. is my first ever historical figure so there is some element of research involved. However, when it comes to playing him, I try my best to keep him grounded physically and vocally.” In regards to the rehearsal process, Lawrence is quick to praise his fellow cast members for their talent and for the fun had throughout the production. His experiences at University Theatre, he noted with a smile, have been “nothing but joyful…it’s become a home away from home.” It is a common sentiment amongst University Theatre’s far-flung yet close-knit students from all majors.

“Participating in University Theatre has been one of the best decisions I have ever made,” said Lawrence. “Ragtime is no different. It has been such joy to work alongside everyone, and it makes me so happy to see new faces! UT has helped me grow so much, and I will forever be grateful for the home it has provided me.”

University Theatre’s Ragtime opens Wednesday February 19th and closes Sunday the 23rd in the Stewart Theatre, Talley Student Union.

For tickets and more information, contact the Box Office at 919.515.1100 or visit online.