Date of Award
Spring 4-28-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Art (M.F.A.)
Department
Theater
Language
English
First Advisor
Susan Myburgh
Abstract
Between December 5th and 9th, 2025, Brooklyn College’s Department of Theater presented Indecent by Paula Vogel, directed by MFA directing candidate Sam Plattus. It was my privilege to play the role of Otto, a member of a troupe of dead actors, tasked with presenting a nearly coextensive play-within-a-play describing the controversial Broadway production of The God of Vengeance, by Sholem Asch. Otto presents several older male characters, including real-life figures; among them author I.L. Peretz, and actor Rudolph Schildkraut. Some of these scenes are depicted in the story as a play-within-a-play-within-a-play, and there are numerous musical interludes throughout wherein Otto sings in Yiddish, dances, and plays musical instruments.
In this thesis I document my research of the historical events and cultural context of the time and place of both Indecent’s and The God of Vengeance’s creation and presentation, and explain my analysis of the play’s form and themes. I will present my process of preparation, and analyze the challenges, successes, and failures found during rehearsals and performance.
Recommended Citation
Turchiarelli, Ben, "The Role of Otto in Indecent by Paula Vogel" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bc_etds/3
