Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Over 15,000 children passed through the gates of Terezin, a concentration camp 30 miles north of Prague. Fewer than 100 survived. I Never Saw Another Butterfly, tells the story of the children of Terezin through the eyes of Raja Englandrova. Raja narrates and tells their story in flashbacks as she learns from Irena Synkova, a teacher who gives the children hope when there is no hope left and gives them the courage to write and draw about their experiences. We see the world of Terezin through their eyes, a world of laughter, of flowers, and of butterflies. From behind the barbed wire fences, teachers and students were able to show defiance; by learning even when it was forbidden, by drawing pictures of life as well as of death, and by writing poems about something bright and colorful they may have caught a glimpse of. The most famous symbol of hope was a yellow butterfly from a poem written by Pavel Friedman. Based on the book, I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Children’s Poems and Drawings from Terezin Concentration Camp 1942 - 1944 that was originally published in 1964, Celeste Raspanti creates a beautiful tribute to the children whose lives were stolen from them during the terrors of the Holocaust.
Show Information
- Book
- Celeste Raspanti
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Children’s Poems and Drawings from Terezin Concentration Camp 1942 - 1944 Edited by Hana Volvakova
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1994
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- 1942-1945/Terezin Concentration Camp in the Czech Republic
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Dramatic Publishing Co.
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Middle School, Religious Groups, Star Vehicle Female, College/University, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Early Teen, Child Characters, Medium Cast
Context
The town of Theresienstadt, better known as Terezin, was 30 miles north of Prague in the Czech Republic during World War II. Terezin was initially a Jewish ghetto that was used as a ploy to deceive the outside world into thinking that the Nazis had created satisfactory living conditions for the Jewish prisoners. It later became a transit camp for Jews before they were deported to Treblinka and Auschwitz. Although not a death camp, over 30,000 people died at Terezin, mostly from starvation and
to read the context for I Never Saw Another Butterfly and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The play opens with Raja Englandrova standing amongst projections of butterflies. She introduces herself and tells us simply, ”I survived Terezin.” The names and birthdates of the children whose artwork and poetry appears in the book, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, are announced over a loudspeaker. We also hear the date that each one of those children perished at the most famous concentration camp from World War II, Auschwitz. Raja listens and reacts. The scene changes to a flashback.
The
to read the plot for I Never Saw Another Butterfly and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
|
|
|
Lead |
Female |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A character in their teenage years, often portrayed as navigating identity, rebellion, and emotional growth.
A dramatic device that transports the narrative to an earlier time to provide background or context.
The genocide of Jews and others by Nazi Germany, portrayed in theatre to memorialize victims and examine human cruelty.
Spoken commentary that provides exposition or transitions within a play. Narration often bridges scenes and guides audience understanding.
A character or voice that tells part of the story, offering commentary or background. Narrators are frequently used in children’s theatre and epic productions.
A short play presented in a single act without intermission, ideal for festivals, student productions, or concise storytelling.
A global conflict often explored in theatre through themes of resistance, loss, trauma, and moral complexity.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
