ACS Theater Presents: Chiaroscuro

We were so impressed with the final theater presentation of the season, as our 7th – 10th graders performed Chiaroscuro last week. Here’s a little more about the production from our director, Annika Jackson:

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” These are words penned by St. Francis of Assisi and are as true today as they were then. During times when evil and darkness seem to be overwhelming, the light of truth and goodness can still permeate through it. As William Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice, “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.” This is exactly what we witness in the life of Sir Nicholas Winton who was willing to step into the darkness that was prevailing as Hitler rose to power and brought light to children by rescuing them out of the darkness.

In a world continuing to grow darker, may we be willing to “let [our] light shine before men in such a way that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). The true source of any light is our heavenly Father, and He is the only one who can and will conquer the darkness one day when He returns. Until then, He gives us the privilege of being small beacons of lights to those around us. As Sir Nicolas Winton stated, “we should always be prepared to help people if there is an opportunity to do so.” We hope you will be encouraged to step into opportunities as you witness the life of Nicholas Winton and witness the impact he had on many lives like the fictional children you will meet in Chiaroscuro whose stories may be very similar to those of the 10,000 children saved during the Kindertransport.

And here’s a little more background about Sir Nicholas Winton:

Nicholas Winton organized a rescue operation that brought 669 mostly Jewish children to safety from Czechoslovakia to England on the eve of World War II. Not only did he organize the transport of the children, but he raised money for it in addition to the required British government’s fees. He worked to locate families willing to care for the children, all the while working his regular job at the Stock Exchange by day. His first transport left Prague by plane while the subsequent ones left by rail. Nicholas was a humble man, and his story was left hidden in the attic for nearly 50 years. He was later bestowed many honors including being knighted by the Queen of England in 2002.

And without further ado, a few of our favorite snapshots from this moving production: