‘I Never Saw Another Butterfly’ explored lives of Jewish children in Holocaust

By James Jenkins

Staff Writer

Jackson Community College’s Drama Club presented a drama that looks at the lives of children caught in the Holocaust of Nazi Germany in World War II, a play by Celeste Raspanti. The play was performed Dec. 7, 8 and 9 in Ruth Day Theatre, Potter Center.

“I Never Saw Another Butterfly” told the story of the 15,000 children who passed through Terezin, a stop-off on the way to the gas chambers in Auschwitz. Of the 15,000 Jewish children who passed through Terezin between 1942 and 1945, only about 100 children were alive to return home when it was liberated at the end of the war.

The  play is based on the collected poems and drawings of those children. There is also a book published of the recovered poems and drawings by the same name.  The story is told by Raja Englanderova, a child survivor of the Holocaust. Raja taught the children giving them hope. This is done through laughter, and imagination. He created for the children a world of flowers and butterflies behind the barbed wire. There were no butterflies at Terezin, but for the children, butterflies became a symbol of defiance, making it possible for them to live on and play happily while waiting to be transported to Auschwitz.

The director was K.J. Rowan, and the set was designed by Chris Fultz. The cast includes Caryn Showerman, Amanda Mahoney, Ashley Monk, Julia Nichols, Brad Choate, John Baker-Streevy, Luke Stanaway-Neblo, Chris Fultz, Tiffany Doan and Sean Mason. Drama club advisor is Sandy DiCesare.

When asked about “Butterfly,” Doan’s eyes light up with excitement.

“It’s been an incredible experience. Everyday I learn something new on the set,” Tiffany said. “I love acting. It’s a lot of fun. It’s my passion.”