Why is The Butterfly Project relevant?

"The Butterfly Project is important far beyond the realm of raising awareness about the children of Terezin. It reminds us of an event many people long to forget ever occurred. The Butterfly Project is a story about strength, hope, and what it takes to keep going, despite all the odds in the world being against you. It brings a sense of beauty to a reality more harsh then humankind should have ever endured. Being an active member of the youth movement Habonim Dror, a movement that helped to form the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, I find it particularly important to share the story of these kids. It is a beautiful play that reminds people, both young and old, just how strong humankind is even in the darkest of hours." 

-Aliyah N., Age 18, Child IV


(Pictured: Aliyah N. as Jack's Mother in Wolf PAC's Jack and the Bean Stalk)

Want to help The Butterfly Project?

Click here to donate to this noble cause

 Click here to vote for our short film in the DoGooder Awards

DoGooder Awards

Watch this video and help Wolf PAC win the DoGooder Awards...

The DoGooder Awards are created to promote the work of local non-profit organizations.  Non-profits with winning videos will be given over $250,000 in services needed to maintain their operations.  

Every view and every comment will help Wolf PAC and The Butterfly Project win the viewers choice award.  Share the link below with all of your friends and families...

The DoGooder Awards- The Butterfly Project

Question of the week:

How would you use $250,000 to "do good" in your community?

How do you rise above HATE?

Here are more thoughts from the cast of The Butterfly Project: 

"We have been learning about Mahatma Gandhi in school. 

Gandhi rose above hate and discrimination by gathering his fellow victims and advocating for equality through non-violence and non-cooperation. Like Gandhi, I believe having a community for support is very important.  It is difficult, but most rewarding to have your beliefs heard without causing violence to those anger you most. Like Gandhi said, you can rise above hate by working to "convert the wrongdoer". 

Leslie G., Age 14, Older Raja/Child IV

"One of my favorite quotes on rising above hate is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and it reads:  

“If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility”. 

 In interviews, the Nazi officers discuss that the way they could inflict such pain was by thinking of the "non-desirables" as things, devoid of any emotions and incapable of being empathetic. 

Celeste Raspanti's story squashes that lie, as she portrays raw humanity, a graphic and moving portrait of the day-to-day accounts in Terezin . As a reader and an audience member, I experienced first the people, their strengths and weaknesses not unlike my own, then when they experienced unspeakable discrimination, I was outraged, because I felt connected to them, saw their incredible worth and their histories.

Now, as a performer, I am struck by how strong the sense of community was in Terezin. Instead of fending for themselves, or hating each other because of their own misery, the people joined together, and fought as a family to survive. This aspect of the play (and history) makes me realize that humans are not built to hate. It is not natural for us. 

I think Ms. Raspanti's play not only brings to life a powerful moment in history, but also gives voice to themes such as forgiveness, survival, and community. These characteristics are the ones that triumph hate. Her story has given me hope that we are not alone in this life, and that hatred never wins.”

Brandi B., Age 22, Irena

How has HATE affected your life?  Answer below by commenting. 

To donate to The Butterfly Project click here. 

How do you rise above HATE?

This week, the cast performed at Beth Am Israel, a congregation in Penn Valley. Thanks to our partners at the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center, we shared the evening with Michael Herskovitz, survivor of Auschwitz.  Michael told his incredible and difficult story to all of us following the performance of I Never Saw Another Butterfly.  He answered questions from the audience with grace.  When one audience member asked, "Do you hate the Nazis?" he bravely explained that there is no use of holding hate in your heart.  This revelation caused our actors to think about HATE. 

"I believe that rising above hate requires so much more than bracing yourself against the pain it can cause. Rising above hate is occupying yourself with something much greater than your enemy, and proving that the hate has no effect on you and cannot stop you from achieving great things. I believe that it is not good enough to ignore hate; rather, it is imperative that action is taken so that, when it is observed by the antagonist, he has no option but to realize how insignificant or foolish his belligerence is. Rising above hate is the act of winning back over those your enemy has turned against you, and using only the simple truth to do so."

-Haley W, Age 16, Older Raja

Share your thoughts:

Have you ever come across hate in your life?  How did you stand against it?

The Butterfly Project can not soar without your support.  Click HERE to donate.

Building a Time Machine

Since launching The Butterfly Project on Holocaust Remembrance Day April 19^th, 2012, our company has performed for our families and friends, seniors living in a retirement community, and middle and high school students.   Our company of 37 young actors and two adult actresses will tour to forty schools, places of worship and community centers this season, sharing the story of the children of Terezin, a concentration camp of the Holocaust.  Following each performance, we invite the audience to stay for a talk back with the actors. 

In rehearsals, we worked diligently to prepare our performers for this difficult production.  Our process began with several long conversations explaining the history and circumstances of the Holocaust and Terezin.  From there we explored our own emotional point of view through guided group theatrical exercises and introspective journaling.  The result is a complex piece of theatre relatable to our actors’ peers yet sophisticated and sincere enough to engage adult audiences. 

The post-show talk backs prove this.  Each audience reflects its unique perspective and relationship to the Holocaust and our production.  We hear from people who remember living through World War II and the Holocaust.  We are asked questions from young students who might not know much about the period at all. This cross-cultural, multi-generational conversation between actor and audience reveals the magnitude of impact our company has on our community.

During a post-show conversation at a local retirement community, an audience member asked the cast how their participation in the production changed their relationship with their grandparents.  One young lady (who is wise beyond her years, I might add) shared a beautiful sentiment.  She told us her grandmother, who had lived through this moment in time, passed away when she was much younger.  The young actress was not old enough then to appreciate her grandmother’s stories and now yearns to know more about her.  Each time she leaves her world for our Terezin, she imagines living through her grandmother’s youth.   In this way, she feels forever connected to the woman she only began to know.

This piece of theater functions as our own time machine.  Through performance we relive moments from the past.  In conversation, we connect our past to our present.  By process, we enhance the collective memory of our young actors and instill values that will guide their future.

-Tim Popp, Co-Director The Butterfly Project

Click here to support this unique theatrical experience

I am PROUD....

PRIDE.  

It is one of the central themes of the production.  Despite everything, the children of Terezin remained proud of their identity.  We asked the actors of The Butterfly Project what makes them proud to be a part of this ensemble.  Here are some of their responses...

“I am proud to me in The Butterfly Project because it teaches everyone about the Holocaust, how horrifying it was, and how it should never happen again.  I like learning about it from a child's point of view, because I know how they would feel.   I also love acting and I am really enjoying my experience with The Butterfly Project.” – Zora G., Age, 11, Child II.

“I am proud to be in The Butterfly Project because it is important that everyone knows that the Holocaust happened.  I can help inform the world of this tragedy.” –Ruthie C., Age 11, Child II

“I am proud to be in The Butterfly Project because I feel like I am spreading a message that every person in the world should hear.” –Dotan Y., Age 13, Honza

“I am proud to be in The Butterfly Project because of the powerful story we are sharing with people young and old across the Greater Philadelphia Area.” –Aliyah N., Age 17, Child IV

“I am proud to be in The Butterfly Project because I can help bring this magnificent show to kids and adults who don't know as much as others about the Holocaust.” –Sammi T., Age 12, Child V

“I am proud to be in The Butterfly Project because it is a gift to be able to share a story that many are beginning to forget. The courage and determination of the characters will hopefully inspire the audience as much as it inspired me!” –Jessica C., Age 16, Child IV

Click here to support The Butterfly Project.  Help us bring this message to our community.

What is HOPE?

The play I Never Saw Another Butterfly features poetry written by the children of Terezin.  Our young actors, following the example of these courageous children, are creating poetry of their own, expressing the lessons we learn together throughout the rehearsals and performances.   

Hope is waiting for flowers in December

Hope is trying not to remember

Hope is seeing the rainbow after the rain

Hope is moving on and forgetting the pain

-Monica A., Age 16, Young Raja

To donate to The Butterfly Project, please CLICK HERE.

Help us soar.

What is "HOPE?"

During one of the most inspired weeks of rehearsal we have had so far, the casts and I sat down and talked about HOPE.  The characters of our play live through the most horrifying and brutal times in human history, and yet they never lose hope.  Why is it important?  How does HOPE incite action, ensure our survival, connect us together?  What are we without it?  We have set out on this voyage to find these answers within the script and within our own humanity. I have asked my actors to reflect on this and share their thoughts.  Please keep reading and sharing your thoughts with us!

"Hope is important. Hope is when nothing seems right, there is still that piece inside of you that knows that you can get through it. Hope is what keeps us going, everyday. Everyone has hope in the end, and they use it when they need it. Hope keeps us alive. 

Hope keeps us as us." 

-Drew W., Age 13, Honza

Today marks the first official performance of The Butterfly Project tour!  At 7:30 PM this evening, 19 young actors from the original two casts will take the stage at the Shannondell at Valley Forge.  Thank you to all of the supporters who are making this journey possible.

To donate to The Butterfly Project, please click here

Thank you for your support!

To every one who supported The Butterfly Project's IndieGoGo Campaign:  

Because of your generous donations, we more than reached our $10,000 goal.  At the end of our campaign, we raised $13,455!  

Your support means so much to all of us.  Thank you for helping us bring this important production to the Greater Philadelphia Area FREE OF CHARGE.  Your gift will touch the lives of thousands of people in our community.  

For every dollar, for ever click, we thank you for believing in butterflies.

With love,

The Butterfly Project family

To learn about more ways to support The Butterfly Project, CLICK HERE!

Why did you audition for The Butterfly Project?

I am proud to be in The Butterfly Project because I think the Holocaust is something everyone should be educated about, especially so history won't repeat itself. The Holocaust is an event that should never be forgotten, and The Butterfly Project is a unique way to teach audience members, actors, and myself about this horrifying time in history that affected the whole world.

The Butterfly Project is an experience that I am proud to be a part of because I have been influenced and inspired by I Never Saw Another Butterfly and it's just awesome that so many people are going to have the same experience I had and continue to have throughout this emotionally moving and awe-inspiring project.

-       Erin S., Age 13, Older Raja

Follow us each week for updates from the cast!

Thank you for your support! We reached our IndieGoGo Goal! It's not too late to donate. Click here!

Why did you audition for The Butterfly Project?

“I auditioned for The Butterfly Project because I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to meet new people and learn new things.  Acting in this play will give me a deeper appreciation for the Holocaust and I will learn the story in a much better way than just reading about it in a text book.

 I love acting and being part of Wolf PAC and especially the Butterfly Project.” 

-Chloe D., Age 13, Young Raja

“I auditioned for The Butterfly Project because the story is moving and filled with triumph, which I find extremely inspiring in the dark times we face. Also, because I love collaborating with youth. Working as a professional actor, many of my colleagues have lost sight of the joy of storytelling, and the surrender of one's vanity. I am reminded of the quote "Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art": I find a generous spirit in the Wolf PAC company--they're not here for accolades, but to tell a life-changing story. I'm honored to be included into this family.”

-Brandi B., Age 22, Irena

Follow us each week for updates from the Butterfly family!

Only a few hours left to donate to our IndieGoGo campaign!  Every dollar helps!

Why did you audition for The Butterfly Project?

I auditioned for Butterfly because I have heard about the Holocaust and thought to myself "It would be so great to try something new!" 

At first, I thought to myself, "How will I be able to do this? I've never done something so serious!"  People always have thought of me as a fun, loud, happy person and I didn't know how to change that. I thought rehearsals would be so solemn and upsetting and no one would be able to be happy. 

Well, even at the first rehearsal I knew that it was nothing like I thought it would be and I felt great about that. I love acting with all these other amazing actors and directors. It is a wonderful experience 

-Sarah C., 5^th Grade, Child II

Follow us each week for updates from the cast!

Click here to donate to our IndieGoGo campaign!  Only a few daysleft!

Less than one week left...

We're just a few days and $1,600 away from meeting our IndieGoGo campaign goal!

These generous contributions will cover our artistic expenses.  But don't just take my word for it.  Watch this message from our cast members then follow the link below.

In a time when arts programs in schools are being cut and Holocaust survivors dwindle, Wolf PAC wants to remember.  Help us teach the next generation to never forget.

If you believe in Butterflies, click here.

Thank you!

-Tim Popp, Co-Director, Artistic and Production Manager

Join us each week  for updates from the cast of The Butterfly Project!

The flight of the Butterfly Continues……

The voices, the questions, the comments, the faces – what I saw and heard at the first rehearsal for the 4 new casts of I Never Saw Another Butterfly assures me that The Butterfly Project will soar as preparations for our tour begin.

I am truly in awe of the young people who surround me (and by “young people” I include my co-director and the 2 adult actors). They came to the first rehearsal with an innate understanding of the importance of this project.  They are dedicated to bringing the voices of the children of Terezin back to life in this magnificent production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly.

I have often said that The Butterfly Project is educational theatre at its best. I told the young actors earlier this week that the theatrical world we are about to enter is a world based very closely on fact – very real and very difficult. What this beautiful play emphasizes is not the horror but the message of hope and survival. Who better to share this message than our children?

-Bobbi Wolf

Executive Director, Wolf PAC; Co-Director, The Butterfly Project

Join us each week  for updates from the cast of The Butterfly Project!

Click here to help us meet our IndieGoGo goal! Only 12 days left...

From the playwright

• Celeste Raspanti, the playwright of I Never Saw Another Butterfly, wrote to Bobbi after watching the video ( https://www.wolfperformingartscenter.org/butterfly_project.php ), " I am impressed with the faces of the children—the Terezin children—your children—the honesty, the intensity—all communicating the message of the Terezin children: “I never saw another butterfly—butterflies don’t live here in the ghetto.” More than that, the faces say: Never again!" Now, more than ever, when we cannot count on the government—any government—to protect the rights we cherish, that message is so important. The children you work with will never forget their experience—and that once, they were Terezin children. What a gift you have given them!"
  Please help us share this gift with children throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area free of charge. DONATE NOW!
  

Genuine Giving

Do you know what means so much to me about giving at Wolf PAC? What means so much to me are the ways the children of Wolf PAC give. They give their time, their talents, their understanding, their friendship, and they give to support a cause they believe in.
The Butterfly Project is a valuable project that teaches theatrical skills, lessons about history that we should never forget, life skills, and teaches the meaning of giving.
Do you know that one of our young performers stopped by Wolf PAC and donated her snow-shoveling money that she had been saving to The Butterfly Project? Do you know that one of our young performers went to pre-schools to create over 100 paper butterflies? Do you know that 2 young performers had a lemonade stand and donated the money to The Butterfly Project?
If everyone could donate - no matter what the amount - we will reach our goal to take The Butterfly Project throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area free of charge.

Learn from the children..........................

The Magic in A Summer of Theatre Magic

Having fun, making friends, and learning skills - that's the magic in A Summer of Theatre Magic! Our sensational staff creates the fun and puts the fun in learning!!

Wolf PAC truly is a place where confidence, character, and creativity are Center Stage. As I walk around the building during A Summer of Theatre Magic, all of those words come to life. 
During electives at camp, creativity is in every room. Children are tap dancing or making sets for the show or playing theatre games or meeting Shakespeare or singing a capella. Creativity in every room!
Are there characters? There most certainly are; they grow and develop day to day. This session I see various fairy tale characters, Belle, the Beast, and all of the other characters in Beauty and the Beast! Not only are characters developing, but character from within is developing too. Kids helping kids - trusting, encouraging, and proving a genuine understanding of commitment. Character developing!
The confidence is perhaps what I treasure the most. On the first day of camp, some of the children walk in looking for and finding friends; some do not know anyone else. There is one thing they all share - they show a bit of nervousness about auditions. Once the cast list is announced - no matter what the part - I watch year after year the incredible sense of confidence grow in every camper. Confidence abounds!
This is what Wolf PAC is truly about - confidence, character, and creativity!
With thanks and applause,
Bobbi

The Blog Begins!

We are thrilled to announce that we have begun a special Wolf PAC blog, dedicated to a behind-the-scenes look at all the "goings-ons" at Wolf Performing Arts Center.  Keep an eye out for more to come!