RI High School to Put on Play on Genocide Survival

BRISTOL, R.I.—“We Survived! Stories of Survival from the Armenian Genocide of 1915” is a theatrical compilation of survivor stories and historical records from the genocide, written and directed by Mt. Hope High School’s (Bristol/Warren) theatre teacher and director, Carol A. (Mikaelian) Schlink.

Schlink is half Armenian and has always felt a connection with her family’s sad yet resilient heritage. The 100th anniversary of this horrific event on April 24, 2015, is her opportunity to honor her father’s family and all Armenians.

Beginning with a contemporary Armenian wedding, the story goes back in time to a 1915 wedding that gets interrupted with orders to get ready for deportation. The stories of the torture, starvation, and death that ensued are from survivor accounts from numerous resources, such as the Genocide Education Project, the Armenian Resource Library for Teachers, the Genocide Museum-Institute of Yerevan, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, as well as from Schlink’s own grandparents.

In this production, survivors’ stories are told in the present tense—as the events unfolded and were experienced. The play then continues with their search for hope and renewal in America. The performance ends back at the contemporary wedding, full of Armenian music and dance, celebrating the vitality, joy, and culture that could not be destroyed.

The Mt. Hope High School Masqueraders present “We Survived! Stories of Survival from the Armenian Genocide of 1915” on Thurs., Nov. 20, Fri., Nov. 21, and Sat., Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.; and on Sun., Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission; $5 for senior citizens and students. Tickets may be purchased at the door at show time, or by visiting www.huskyzone.org. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Genocide Education Project of Rhode Island (www.genocideeducation.org).