"Our lives become the stories that we weave," sing the storytellers in Once On This Island Jr. Next week, for the second time in its history, Holton is presenting this vibrant Caribbean musical. The first production, in fall 2011, starred Upper School students on the Lewis Theater stage. This year's production is the Junior version and will feature Middle School students performing in the Diana Coulton Beebe Black Box Theater. The play tells the story of Haitian orphan Ti Moune, who defies the gods of Water, Earth, Love, and Death to be near the man she loves, and in the process, heals a rift between the rich and poor sides of her island.
Drama Director Elizabeth Zitelli has been working to connect alumnae from the 2011 production with this year's cast. Two of 
these alumnae are still on campus; Mimi Asamoah-Mensah '19 and Seymone Clarke '19 (both pictured right and below) were in fifth grade when they were selected to share the role of Little Ti Moune in a unique opportunity to join the Upper School students on stage.
"I remember being so excited. They announced it in morning assembly," Mimi says. "The Upper Schoolers were so kind and so talented."
Over lunch this spring, Mimi and Seymone reminisce as they pore over photographs of 2011 production. They eagerly point out the older girls they remembered admiring. Kamryn Hall '24 looks on with interest. She, too, will play Little Ti Moune. Mimi and Seymone are full of support and advice.
"Don't be afraid of just letting yourself shine," Seymone counsels. "You just have to embrace every moment you have. I'm in Swing Choir now and..."
"I want to be in Swing!" Kamryn interjects.
Seymone is full of encouragement. "Do it!" she urges. "Just embrace every moment you have, smile, be happy, be smiling on the inside and out."
Kamryn smiles broadly. She's soaking it all in.
Mimi adds. "Sometimes people are surprised when they hear I was in a play, but it was so fun to work together to tell a story with the Upper Schoolers."
Julia Peiperl '13, a costume designer in New York, reinforces this message in a recent letter. She writes, "One of my favorite parts about theater is that everyone in the show is coming together to tell a story. Performing as a storyteller in Once on this Island, I felt that more than ever–trading off lines with other storytellers to make one continuous narrative. Working together with other people is absolutely the most important skill in theater and something I use every day, so cheers to Ms. Zitelli for giving me that skill back in high school!"
Susannah Bane '14 was also a storyteller in the original production and is excited to see her sister, Aoife Bane '23, portray the role of Mama Euralie in this production. She writes, "Once On This Island is a story that makes the audience feel, and that is the beauty of art and theater."
Wendy Burr '12 reached out to Alexis Crupi '24 about the role of Asaka, mother of the earth. "I'm sure you'd agree, the role of Asaka is an absolute blast," she says. "The part of Asaka has definitely stayed with me! No matter what role I played (on stage or in life), I found that I could channel that confidence and boldness that I learned when I played Asaka."
Burr will be in the audience as the Middle Schoolers perform next weekend, along with Bane and fellow (former) cast member Meagan Carr '12.
Once on This Island Jr. will be presented in Holton's Diana Coulton Beebe Black Box Theater on Fri., May 10 and Sat., May 11 at 7 p.m. The box office is now open!
