1. Rent
Maddie Schmit
University of Northern Iowa
The production of Rent is a well put together musical about many different
elements of life and how they are all related to each other. The show’s main focus is
bringing justice for everyone, no matter what the circumstances. Being able to work on
this show, and seeing the production many times has helped me fully understand the
show and the purpose.
Each character represents a different part of society and these characters are
shown to see how others react to them and treat them. Mark is the film maker who
wants to have a career, but has the constant fear of being alone once his friends die.
Roger wants to leave behind one song because he knows he will be dying soon, and
wants to leave the world one part of himself. (Tom) Collins is the “philosopher” with so
much knowledge that can’t seem to keep a job. Angel is the cross-dresser who wants
everyone to be happy and believes that you should be happy today because you don’t
know when it could be taken away from you. Maureen is the free-willing performer who
believes everyone deserves justice. Joanne is the lawyer who is always focused on the
seriousness of every situation instead of having fun. Mimi is the drug addict who has a
little too much fun, but (along with Angel) believes you should have fun today and don’t
wait till tomorrow. Benny is the friend that took his career too seriously instead of being
with the people that he loves and eventually becomes the “antagonist”.
The term “justice for all” is spread out throughout the entire musical as one of the
main focuses. Each character has their own reasons behind who deserves justice. Mark

2. and Maureen both believe the homeless deserve justice and overall people who did
nothing to receive the punishment that has been put on them (ie. eviction). Collins and
Angel believe that people who have been diagnosed with AIDS and are essentially
dying from it deserve justice and deserve to be treated like everyone else. Mimi and
Roger believe that others like themselves deserve justice. The type of people who are
(or were) drug addicts, and people who can’t really help themselves.
Another main focus on the show was trying to figure out whole we should let into
our lives, and what we can trust people with. This can include people with
different/better jobs, different philosophies, sexual orientations, or with diseases
(mentally and physically). Roger and Mimi must both figure out whether or not to tell the
other person that they have AIDS. Joanne must figure out if it truly is worth to stay with
Maureen. Angel and Collins want to be happy with the people around them before they
die. And Mark must figure out if his dream is really worth giving up his life and friends.
Being able to work on this production was such a great experience that I am very
grateful for. I was able to see the show long before many others students when I saw
the design presentation back in September and finally being able to see all the way up
to it’s final show. Working on this show has given me a chance to really analyze the
show as a whole and the department main goal when putting on this production.