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Overview

Synopsis

The Ecstasy of Rita Joe follows Rita Joe, a young Indigenous woman who leaves her reservation and comes to the city of Vancouver, in hopes of finding freedom from the limitations of reserve life. However, once in the city, she experiences racism, marginalization, and, finally, rape and murder. The Ecstasy of Rita Joe is a seminal work in modern Canadian drama and is a commentary on the systematic prejudice and discrimination faced by the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Told in an expressionistic, stream-of-consciousness style with disconnected scenes, songs, and monologues, Rita Joe reflects on her youth and the hardships she has faced during her various arraignments in the judicial system. George Ryga’s political play presents a reflection on the consequences of the colonization of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1967
Genres
Drama
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Vancouver, Canada, 1960s
Cast Size
large
Licensor
See CONTEXT AND/OR LINKS TAB
Ideal For
Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Large Cast, Diverse Cast, College/University, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Rita Joe

Lead

Female

Non-singer

The Magistrate

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Jaimie Paul

Lead

Male

Non-singer

The Father, David Joe

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mr. Homer

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Eileen Joe

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

The Priest, Father Andrew

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Old Indian Woman

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Teacher, Miss Donohue

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Older Man

Featured

Male

Non-singer

The Singer

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

The Murderers (3)

Featured

Male

Non-singer

The Policeman

Featured

Male

Non-singer

The Clerk/Young Man

Featured

Male

Non-singer

The Indian Boys

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists.

    A style of theatre that utilized theatrical elements and scenery with exaggeration and distortion in order to convey strong feelings and ideas to audiences.

    Term used to describe Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Métis or Inuit.

    Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.

    Study of the cultural, economic, and political impacts of colonialism, often focusing on the stories of the colonized people.

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Guide Written By:

Emma Houlahan

Emma Houlahan

Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.