The History Lesson - A New Play The History Lesson is a political play which exposes, through dramatization of a teacher/student relationship, the "behind the scenes" aspects of the wealthy elite (Bilderberg Group et. al.) planning, executing and manipulating "globalization" and the propaganda that is instilled in the American psyche. High school senior Scott flunks his History final because he writes of his researched truth instead of what was covered in the class: traditional, conventional and accepted truths about history which are slanted by the rich victors who write history. This causes great tension between his teacher, Mr. Pence, and himself, as well as his father and himself. With the recent death of Scott's mother and his inability to accept and move on, Scott is caught in a life he considers "bullshit lies". The drama of the relationships that unfolds depicts the harsh reality of today: economic hardship, the limitations of independent thinking, and the disconnect between the way artists think and the way the rest of the world thinks. The final act of suicide is tragic and surprising; much more about grief than ideological struggles. Even as his girlfriend Gabrielle understands his grief, she cannot help him move through it, and in the end, her love is not enough. A relevant, timely and passionate drama about the wakening of open minds, the rigidness of closed minds and the confused state of our world today. Mr. Pence does open his mind, does in fact re-grade Scott's paper giving him an A, because he takes Scott seriously enough to investigate his ideas. Scott's father remains dogmatically in the propaganda of the contrived and fabricated mainstream news and information. The History Lesson challenges audiences, as it turns accepted truths on their head and presents a highly researched and well documented revision of history based on esteemed Professor, and President Bill Clinton's mentor, Carol Quigley's Tragedy and Hope - a long ignored history that the Council for Foreign Relations removed from the public after hiring Professor Quigley as their historian. Scott sees, as only a young mind can, the brainwashing of the two party system which is controlled by the powerful, and the uselessness of war as a means to solve the economic and political conflicts of the world. Approximately 90 minutes without an intermission, this 8 character drama snowballs into a full throttle polarization for those who cannot entertain the truths contained in the play. The History Lesson takes its controversial subject matter for granted and delivers a story that stimulates the intellect as much as the heart.
About the Author: ABOUT THE AUTHOR Author Mark Ruhala is a renaissance man of autodidactic roots. His early career in show business landed him on Broadway at age 20. His choreography took him to Asia and Europe in his late 20's. His career as arts educator brought him to adjudicate grants for the National Endowment for the Arts. His role as producer/director has created over 60 productions of original works, classic dramas, re-visioning Broadway musicals, dance concerts, and experimental theatre. His written works include plays, dance/theatre pieces, original cabarets, essays and poetry. He prefers to work outside the main stream where he can be creative without commercial pressures. He owns his own performing arts center in East Lansing, Michigan where he lives with his wife Celina and his children Jordan and Thomas.