With the help of their choreographer, the choir begins to put the finishing touches on the musical “Ragtime,” according to choir director John Myszkowski.

According to Myszkowski, “Ragtime” tells the story of three clashing communities in New York City in the early 20th century.

Myszkowski said the singing, the acting, the dancing and the instrumentation are difficult and portray serious topics such as violent racism.

“It’s just a really complicated show on so many levels,” Myszkowski said. “The subject matter is so relevant to current events.”

Mary Coats, choreographer for the choir’s production of “Ragtime,” said she hopes to show students how to portray the difficult material with dance.

“The three specific types of people also can be reflected in three different specific types of dancing, the immigrant folks, the black people and the white folks,” Coats said.

Coats said she will be working with the choir every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She said on her first day working with the choir she focused on bringing about music through dance.

“We worked on physicality and linking the music notes and the phrasing to the body, so creating music through the body and not just through the voice,” Coats said.

Senior Jesse Ziesel said he hopes to use dance and music to display the strength of his role, Coalhouse, a lead character who represents the early 20th century African American community.

“It’s a powerful role,” Ziesel said. “It’s a black man who is denied justice.”

Ziesel said though he feels confident he will master the music and the dance, he is nervous about putting the two together.

“I am kind of afraid of dancing and singing,” Ziesel said. “I am kind of worried about my stamina.”

Senior Nick Harkness said he is practicing getting into character to perfect his performance as Father, another lead role. He said Father is a part that involves many dimensions.

“Father is kind of the stereotypical patriarch, not a very likeable guy,” Harkness said. “The world is changing around him and he can’t really deal with that.”

Senior Radiance Brown, who is not in choir, said she would be interested in seeing “Ragtime” because of its intricate storyline.

“I would go (to the performance) because it’s informational,” Brown said. “I could learn from it.”

Myszkowski said despite the difficult material his students must master through song and through dance, he feels confident they will rise to the task. He said he is thankful for the help of Coats as well as the help of staging director Lillian Zumberge and set director Don Romaine.

“I think it will be fine,” Myszkowski said.

This year’s annual gala will take place 7 p.m. Feb. 26-28 and 2 p.m. March 1 in the high school auditorium. Admission is $7 for students and seniors and $10 for adults.