University of San Diego, The Vista: Fleming displays full range of talent in his “New Rag”

Scott Joplin (c.1867-1917) was an African American Composer and Pianist of Ragtime and Classical Music who wrote three operas and is featured at AfriClassical.com 

Robert Barry Fleming exhibits his wide array of talents in his one-man play, “Scott Joplin’s New Rag.”

University of San Diego

The Vista

October 3, 2014

KEVIN KARN

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

The Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company premiered its final play of the 2014 season, “Scott Joplin’s New Rag,” last Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center Mainstage located downtown. The one-man show, written and performed by Robert Barry Fleming, was the latest in the Mo’olelo tradition of social justice theatre which emphasizes thought-provoking productions designed to challenge social constructs in historical and contemporary society.

Starring Fleming, a former professor in the University of San Diego’s theatre arts and performance studies department, the show attracted students and theater fanatics from all over San Diego. Among them was a group of USD freshmen students in the Social Justice Living Learning Community led by program director May Fu.

Also attending the play was Dr. Abraham Stoll, a professor in the English department as well as the USD graduate theater program. He spoke about the Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company and what the play can offer students.

“It’s actually a quite nationally renowned theater,” Stoll said. “Although it’s still rather small-scale because as part of its mission it makes an effort to bring theater from underrepresented groups to the stage. This one was about Scott Joplin so it’s really central to African American history.”