Dallastown Performing Arts Club (DPAC) will stage an inspirational drama this year for its annual fall play.
Based on the poems and artwork of children interned at the Terezin concentration camps during WWII, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” by Celeste Respanti will run on the DHS stage from Oct 23-26.
On one of DPAC’s trips to the PA state Thespian Conference, they saw a one-act version of “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” which inspired Bethany Yuninger, Faculty Advisor and Director, to suggest it to DPAC officers for the fall play this year.
“It was very impactful to the audience,” Yuninger said.
This play centers around Raja Englanderova, played by freshman Olivia Stockholm, and her time at the Terezin concentration camp. During the play, Raja shares her story while being at the Terezin camp. She does her best to give hope to the children who are stuck in the camp.
Stockholm was very ecstatic to get the lead role in the play when originally she wasn’t aiming for the lead.
“I think it’s a really huge accomplishment. Originally, when I came to audition for this play, I wasn’t thinking of aiming for the lead role, so when it was offered to me, it was mind-blowing,” Stockholm said.
But while getting the lead role, she wasn’t really sure how well she was going to portray Raja in the play.
“At first, I wasn’t too sure if I was ready to be able to play as Raja, because she has been through so much, and it really shows throughout the play. But, now going through the script a lot more, I’ve really been able to get a good grip on her character and what her personality brings to the show,” Stockholm says.
She wasn’t sure she would be a good fit for the character because of what Raja had gone through while at the Terezin concentration camp, but now she’s gotten a better grip on the character and has been learning about Judaism in World Cultures, which helps the actor get to know what Jewish people had to go through during WWII.
During the play, Raja forms many relationships with other characters, but the strongest one she forms is with Irena Synkova, played by Lily Hengst. Irena is a teacher who forms a caring relationship with Raja, taking the place of her mother. Irena, through the play, educates and cares for the children at the camp.
“I feel really grateful, especially since Irena Synkova was a real woman who taught children in Terezin. It’s always a nice feeling when you’re able to portray a character that forms the story in such a significant way,” Hengst said.
Hengst is really proud to be able to represent and honor the character and person, Irena Synkova. playing a big part in the story with Raja.
“ She is supposed to be an anchor for the students of Terezin, which is such a hard role to play as the play goes on around you. I do hope that I can not only honor the real woman but also represent the amount of care she had for her students,” Hengst said.
Once Irena gets transported, Raja must take on Irena’s role to care for the children of Terezin and to try and give them any form of hope. To get them through these harsh times.
“My prediction for the audience’s reaction is that I’m sure most will be very impacted by this play. Because the show is supposed to be serious and depressing, but also shows representation for the people and families who had to go through these tough times; that we are all stronger together, and we can make it through these events because we are together,” Stockholm says.
Yuninger hopes the audience will recognize two things once the play is over.
“I think the audience will recognize how hard the students worked on this. And I hope people will recognize the memories of the people who had to suffer during their time at the concentration camps,” Yuninger said.
The show will take place in the Dallastown High School Auditorium, and tickets can be purchased using this link.
