Embark on a mesmerising journey to the shores of Haiti where love, resilience, and the power of storytelling converge.
Against the backdrop of class inequality and race, this enchanting musical follows the story of Ti Moune, a fearless young woman who defies the will of the Spirits to pursue love.
Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love. Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the pompous gods who preside over the island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, the stakes being Ti Moune's life.
When she pursues Daniel, who has returned to his people, Ti Moune is shunned because of her lowly status. Her determination and capacity to love, though, is not enough to win Daniel's heart, and Ti Moune pays the ultimate price; but the gods turn Ti Moune into a tree that grows so strong and so tall, it breaks the wall that separates the societies and ultimately unites them.
The first High School musical at UWCSEA East in five years, Once on This Island is a collaboration between our Drama, Dance and Music Departments.
With a vibrant cast of characters and infectious music, 'Once On This Island' weaves a spellbinding narrative that celebrates the magic inherent in the human spirit.
Filled with heart and soul, this musical transports you to a world where the forces of love and destiny collide in an unforgettable celebration of what it means to be alive.
A message from Anthony Kelly, Director
"What has brought me the most joy as a director, has been witnessing the journey of discovery our cast and crew have undertaken and watching the forging of connections between our students and staff, fostering a sense of belonging within our community. I am hugely grateful to the cast of this show, for their effort and energy through all our rehearsals, and for helping to bring this production to life."
Telling a story with UWCSEA Values
Staging any musical or play that deals with complex historical underpinnings is challenging. During the process of choosing the Musical, we were adamant about selecting something that reflected our values as UWCSEA, and we felt that ‘Once On This Island’ was a wonderful vehicle to achieve this.
The resonant themes of community, race and colonialism, are at the centre of this story, and ones that we explore frequently. Through this production, we’ve connected to the original setting of Haiti, but within the context of a people and place affected by natural disasters such as the 2010 earthquakes.
At the heart of the story is a tale of community and compassion. The resonant themes of race and colonialism are intended to spark discussions about history, culture, race and decolonisation—serving a purpose that extends far beyond the stage and reflects complex issues also tackled throughout UWCSEA’s Learning Programme. As the production team brought these complex issues to life on stage, the musical’s Director and Head of High School Arts, Anthony Kelly, was careful to maintain a focus on UWCSEA’s values in all aspects of production.
We also wanted to communicate the impact of how discarded waste affects people globally while connecting the world of the play to the sea and rubbish through the repurposing and recycling of materials that are often found washed up on a beach. We also wanted to ensure we brought the vibrant spirit of Haiti to life through our production choices.
The Costume Department created a dress made entirely of upcycled plastic together with scrap fabric from donated clothes, turning the repurposed costume into a powerful message of environmental stewardship. Each thread and fabric scrap woven into the textile of the costume symbolised how history is an intricate textile of interconnected human experiences. Closely adhering to the colour scheme reflected in Caribbean local fashion and national costumes was a deliberate choice to pay homage to the rich tapestry of traditions, cultures, and identities of the region. Each hue served as a visual cue, evoking the lush landscapes, vibrant flora, and diverse cultural influences that make this region unique.
An ode to Haiti – culture at the heart
Given the context of the musical, the cast spent the first few weeks of rehearsals working with students from the Caribbean to help our actors understand how life in the Caribbean differs from life in Singapore. They also focused on exploring spirituality and the historical context of Haiti.
The cast was supported by a DEIJ team, who helped to ensure decisions made about the production were cultural appreciation and not appropriation.
Grade 12 student Caden Smith was the Cultural Consultant on this production, giving advice and guidance throughout the process. The College's DEIJ Lead, Kim Cheah, as well as High School teacher, Vikki Bell, also provided guidance and support.
The set design drew inspiration from contemporary images of Haiti and the vibrant colour palette of its traditional iconic houses. It also nodded to French colonial influence with French-language signs. A beachside set was created to highlight Haiti’s reliance on fishing—the country’s key economic driver. The production process involved conscious artistic choices that aligned with UWCSEA community values, ensuring every detail resonated with authenticity and respect for Haitian culture.
"Working with Caribbean Cultural dance was quite daunting for me initially. I wanted to ensure that I worked with authentic movement but then also wanted to create movement that was accessible to a cast of mostly non-dancers. Whilst this was a challenge it was also a truly authentic way for students to experience and understand Haitian culture. I take immense pride in the achievements of our production of 'Once On This Island' which exemplifies authentic interdisciplinary learning and a performance which embodies our mission wholeheartedly."
– Lauren Hickson, Dance Choreographer
Dance
Dance is often seen as the soul of a musical with the heart being the music and the brains being the dialogue and dramatic action. Across all musicals, a central theme of belonging resonates, this is vividly portrayed in productions like "Once On This Island." Embracing musical theatre opportunities at UWCSEA embodies the institution's mission and values.
Dance assumes a pivotal role in any musical, but in 'Once On This Island', its significance takes on a dual nature. Traditionally, dance enriches the narrative, embodying the sentiment that "when words fail, we dance."
In conjunction with music, it establishes the ambience and sustains the performance's dynamic energy. However, in this particular musical, dance goes beyond its conventional role to help define the context allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the world of Once On This Island.
Beyond the stage
A common thread throughout UWCSEA’s Learning Programme is the idea of student choice and agency. From K–12, students are encouraged to explore opportunities, pursue interests and passions, and face their fears. The College encourages students to explore not just their passion, but their capacity to grow in roles that are new to them.
In this production, Grades 9–12 students were able to try their hand at a multitude of different roles and responsibilities as both cast and crew: actors, dancers, musicians, costume designers, stage managers, lighting and sound technicians, set designers, and projection technicians. Whether in costume or lighting design, students are urged to step beyond the stage and embrace the myriad opportunities backstage. In doing so, they become integral contributors to the theatrical tapestry.
At the heart of the musical is the desire to support the personal growth of students and enable them to reach their full potential in either an on-stage or off-stage role. Productions at East Campus put community first, and demand a collaborative approach working towards a common goal, delivering clear intentions and above all a message that centres on expressing ourselves.
Multifaceted opportunities allowed students to explore beyond a single interest and discover roles that were new to them, and maybe even a little bit daunting. This inclusive approach to learning was a source of immense pride for the UWCSEA staff behind this production who saw their students collaborate with industry professionals over the six-month journey to shape and refine their ideas and skills.
Wardrobe
Students were actively involved in designing and making wardrobe pieces for the actors. This acted as a platform for them to unleash their creativity, upskill in fabrication and express themselves through their designs.
Set design
The set was an integral part of the musical and helped transport the audience to Haiti. The set was designed by Marc Andre Therrien and built in-house at our carpentry workshop on East Campus by Ziyad Bin Ahmad Bagharib, Nurul Mohamad Hafiz and Manuel Freire.
Music
Through their music, our musicians heightened the emotions, reinforced dramatic actions, and evoked atmosphere and mood in ways that words alone cannot.
Hear from our students
A musical reflection
Stage Management
"In my final year at UWCSEA East, I wanted to immerse myself in a different aspect of theater: Stage Management. As a member of the stage management team for Once on This Island, I oversaw the execution of the show from backstage. This experience was invaluable. My experience allowed me to hone my organisational and communication skills and my ability to work under high-pressure situations. I will always hold onto the memories I made this year with my Once on This Island family. It was a privilege to witness firsthand all the effort and hard work that the cast, crew, and directors put in over seven months. This was no easy feat, but it demonstrates the sheer amount of collaboration that is needed to bring a production to life. To me, that’s the beauty of theater."
– Helena Teh, ’24, East Campus
Music
“I was one of the two percussionists in the band. I learned a lot about working together as an ensemble, not just with the band but with the actors too. There were many times when we took our cues for the music from the actors themselves, and we learned how to adapt on the spot to make small changes on stage which was a huge challenge and something I’m really glad to have been able to experience.”
– Thomas Alchin ’24, East Campus
Built with Shorthand
