A work that examines America's relationship with poverty vis-a-vis morality
A work that examines America's relationship with poverty vis-a-vis morality
Department of Theatre Arts Mainstage Season
Department of Theatre Arts Mainstage Seasons 2022-2023
A new musical written by Assistant Professor Katya Stanislavskaya
THE USEFUL CITIZEN
Saturday, September 17 at 7 p.m. in Parker Theatre
Sunday, September 18 at 2 p.m. in Parker Theatre*
By Katya Stanislavskaya
Music Directed by Katya Stanislavskaya 
Directed by Catherine Doherty
Tickets Available Now!
The Useful Citizen, a reading of a new musical written by Katya Stanislavskaya, examines America's relationship with poverty vis-a-vis morality. Set in post-Civil War New York State, the musical follows a controversial historical figure, Josephine "Effie" Lowell. A privileged Civil War widow, Effie dedicates her life to being a "useful" citizen and becomes a renowned charity reformer. Through her journey, Effie learns that some of her reforms are hurting the people they are intended to help.
*Talkback to follow performance on Sept. 18
This reading contains in its content an attempted sexual assault of a minor
Cast and crew had the first read-through and musical rehearsal of The Useful Citizen last week
Katya Stanislavskaya, writer and musical director
New Paltz as Inspiration
In 2020, I found a website by New Paltz town historian Susan Stessin-Cohn, which is dedicated to the Ulster County Poorhouse—now the site of Ulster County Fairgrounds. I was inspired to trace the origins of America's moralistic attitude toward poverty back to its roots in the 1800s. During my research process, I discovered my protagonist, the controversial charity reformer Josephine "Effie" Lowell. The musical juxtaposes upper-class Effie, who has a fountain built in her honor in Bryant Park, with working-class Rebekah Brower, whose lonely grave can be found in front of the Ulster County Recreation Center. —Katya Stanislavskaya
A Journey of Support
Stanislavskaya spent two weeks in May 2021 writing and composing "The Useful Citizen" in New Hampshire as a MacDowell Fellow in Theatre. In summer 2021, SUNY New Paltz Theatre Arts students Christopher Lunetta (above, left) and Gina Lardi received a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience grant to record an eight-song demo of the musical.
In October 2021, an excerpt was performed in a BMI Musical Theatre Workshop masterclass with Broadway director Sarna Lapine. Through the support of a fall 2021 Drescher Leave, Stanislavskaya researched and workshopped the piece at the Gainesville Theater Alliance in Georgia.
Stanislavskaya writing The Useful Citizen on a MacDowell fellowship in New Hampshire in May 2021
What is a Reading of a Musical?

  Because dramatic works are meant to be seen and heard, not read, it's important for the author and creative team to hear the material performed by actors. This type of workshopping concentrates on acting and singing in order to facilitate the writing and rewriting. Unlike a full production, a reading of a musical has almost no design elements, and very minimal staging. Actors perform with their scripts and scores. One of the performances is followed by a talkback with the cast and audience. These talkbacks are a great way to get involved in the creative process of a new musical!
—Katya Stanislavskaya
Tickets Available Now!
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Full 2022-2023 Mainstage Season Schedule
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