Overview:
I Never Saw Another Butterfly, a memory play, follows the fictionalized story of Raja Englanderova (Emmaleigh Stempien), who shares her experiences during the Holocaust in the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia. After being separated from her family and taken to Terezin, Raja is cared for by Irena Synkova (Vanessa Martinez), a teacher who encourages the children in the camp to continue learning and making art, despite their difficult situation. Throughout the play, audiences will see flashes of Raja’s own story as well as stories of the other children of Terezin. Characters are brought to life by many talented actors including Claire Sandström, Leah Prather, Garrett Hilton, John Shaw, Gale/Ezra Paddock, Sophia Smith, Emma Eichenhofer, Addyson Webber, Oliver Perez, Cadence Hinkal, Ella Kinsey, Owen Droney, and Logan Miller.
I Never Saw Another Butterfly is based on a book of the same name, an anthology of artwork and poetry created by the Children of Terezin and collected by the real-life Raja Englanderova at the end of the war. The children’s words are featured prominently in the script, and their artwork helped to set the scene through the use of stage projections.
Stories of the Holocaust are difficult stories to tell, but remain so very important. As years pass and the number of survivors dwindle, we knew it was critical to continue telling their stories and stories that highlight not only the atrocities committed, but also the hope that persisted and the small acts of resistance and altruism that occurred. To prepare for this production, actors attended a number of workshops with retired PYMS English teacher and Holocaust Educator Margaret White. Mrs. White worked with students to help them understand Terezin and its unique position among the camps in Europe, to examine the concept of hate and how it grows, to comprehend the systemic removal of rights from Jews in Europe, and to see the story and their characters authentically as real people who experienced the horrors and hardships of this era in history. She shared the story of friend and local Holocaust survivor Henry Silberstern, who visited PYMS for many years to speak to students before his passing in 2016. Through these discussions, students developed a strong desire to tell this story “right” - to honor those who survived, those who died, and those who lifted others up in the darkest of times.
I Never Saw Another Butterfly is based on a book of the same name, an anthology of artwork and poetry created by the Children of Terezin and collected by the real-life Raja Englanderova at the end of the war. The children’s words are featured prominently in the script, and their artwork helped to set the scene through the use of stage projections.
Stories of the Holocaust are difficult stories to tell, but remain so very important. As years pass and the number of survivors dwindle, we knew it was critical to continue telling their stories and stories that highlight not only the atrocities committed, but also the hope that persisted and the small acts of resistance and altruism that occurred. To prepare for this production, actors attended a number of workshops with retired PYMS English teacher and Holocaust Educator Margaret White. Mrs. White worked with students to help them understand Terezin and its unique position among the camps in Europe, to examine the concept of hate and how it grows, to comprehend the systemic removal of rights from Jews in Europe, and to see the story and their characters authentically as real people who experienced the horrors and hardships of this era in history. She shared the story of friend and local Holocaust survivor Henry Silberstern, who visited PYMS for many years to speak to students before his passing in 2016. Through these discussions, students developed a strong desire to tell this story “right” - to honor those who survived, those who died, and those who lifted others up in the darkest of times.
CastRaja Englanderova - Emmaleigh Stempien
Renka/Child - Claire Sandström Irena Synkova - Vanessa Martinez Mother - Leah Prather Pavel - Garrett Hilton Father - Johnathan Shaw Aunt Vera - Gale/Ezra Paddock Erika/Child - Sophia Smith Child I - Emma Eichenhofer Child II - Addyson Webber Child III - Oliver Perez Child IV - Cadence Hinkal Irca/Child - Ella Kinsey Rabbi - Owen Droney Honza - Logan Miller |
Student CrewStage Managers - Dani Miller and Emma Gridley
Light Board Operator - Kylee Shaddock Sound Effects/Projections - Meghan Linehan, Izzy Hinkal Tech Assistants - Leland King, Bryan Mayhew Costumes - Abeni Oliva Camera Operators - Griffen Fletcher, Ada Homhouane Creative Design Team - Maggie Brown, Eva Fleet, Cadance Miller, Orbeth Badmone, Brady McLoud, Abeni Oliva Movement Choreographer - Addyson Webber Ludvik Music Arrangement - Sophia Smith |
Production Team
Director - Mrs. Jessica Kinsey
Asst. Director/Acting Coach - Mr. Brian Cobb
Scenic Designer/Parent Coordinator/Production Assistant - Ms. Missy Emery
Master Carpenter - Mr. Dean Knapton
Lighting Design - Mrs. Sara Lyon
Technical Director/Master Electrician/Livestream - Mr. Simon Gaston
Costume Design/Head Seamstress - Ms. Yvonne MacMillan
Front of House Supervisor - Mrs. Tina Webber
Tech Supervisor/Videographer/Livestream - Dr. Herb Gaston
Costume Assistant - Ms. Hannah Hotaling
Holocaust Educator - Mrs. Margaret White
Community Liason - Mrs. Melissa Green
Graphic Design - Mr. Jason Kinsey
Hair Coordinator/Stylist - Mrs. Aimee Perry
Asst. Director/Acting Coach - Mr. Brian Cobb
Scenic Designer/Parent Coordinator/Production Assistant - Ms. Missy Emery
Master Carpenter - Mr. Dean Knapton
Lighting Design - Mrs. Sara Lyon
Technical Director/Master Electrician/Livestream - Mr. Simon Gaston
Costume Design/Head Seamstress - Ms. Yvonne MacMillan
Front of House Supervisor - Mrs. Tina Webber
Tech Supervisor/Videographer/Livestream - Dr. Herb Gaston
Costume Assistant - Ms. Hannah Hotaling
Holocaust Educator - Mrs. Margaret White
Community Liason - Mrs. Melissa Green
Graphic Design - Mr. Jason Kinsey
Hair Coordinator/Stylist - Mrs. Aimee Perry
Extras!
- Click here to see more pictures from the production!
- Click here to see the I Never Saw Another Butterfly program.
- Click to watch our Friday performance or our Saturday performance on YouTube!