Ti MouneJackera Davis
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
A MUSICAL
BASED ON THE NOVEL "MY LOVE, MY LOVE" BY ROSA GUY
BOOK & LYRICS BY
LYNN AHRENS
MUSIC BY
STEPHEN FLAHERTY
Once on This Island is the gorgeous, tragic love story of Désirée Dieu-Donné (Ti Moune), a beautiful peasant girl who devotes herself to the handsome, aristocratic young man whose life she has saved after he was in an accident. A fable of love and death, complete with temperamental gods, Once on This Island is a timeless tale of a girl and boy from “two different worlds” and the impossibility of their match. The show explores colorism and class prejudice alongside the devastation of a natural disaster and economic inequality.
The people of Haiti are resilient. They have retained a deep connection to their cultural roots despite their tumultuous history. Haitians have the distinction of being the first people to execute a successful slave revolt, making theirs the first free black nation in the world. For many Haitian people, dancing is deeply rooted in almost all of the important events of life. Exuberant dancing adds bursts of excitement throughout the show. Full-bodied dance numbers created by guest choreographer, Lindsay Gary imbue the story with the spirituality and joy of the Haitian people.
Like many other fables, Once on This Island has a mythical sort of transformation following the tragic end of its heroine. The gorgeous transformation will leave the audience filled with the hope that out of darkness can come restoration and renewal. When asked how he hopes the audience will respond, director Aaron Brown said, “The audience is given the opportunity to join Ti Moune’s journey of love against all odds, suffer in her pain, and cling to the hope she provides as they leave the theatre. It’s a beautiful and inspiring story for all of us right now.”
Tickets for the online stream are $12 in advance, $15 on or after opening night. Online streaming requires a high-speed internet connection and a modern web browser. Stream is a live feed only; ticket purchase does not provide on demand access. Please visit http://www.shsutickets.com for details on either viewing option as well as our updated FAQ page. For ticketing questions, please email the box office at tickets@shsu.edu or call us at 936-294-2339. Streaming platform hosted by ShowTix4U.com.
Meet the Cast
Jackera Davis
Ti Moune
Jackera is a junior musical theatre major from Rosenberg, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as an ensemble member in Assassins, Heathers: The Musical and Violet. At other institutions, she has appeared as Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street. Upon graduation, Jackera plans to pursue a career in acting.
Brandon Lozano
Agwe
Brandon is a sophomore musical theatre major from Round Rock, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as an ensemble member in Let Me Down Easy. At other institutions, he has appeared as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, and as Banquo in Macbeth. Upon graduation, Brandon plans to pursue a career in acting, directing, and casting.
Ainsley Hylton
Daniel
Ainsley is a sophomore musical theatre major from Missouri City, Texas. This is his debut to the SHSU stage & screen. He is delighted to be a part of this production. At other institutions, he has appeared as Kevin Rosario in In the Heights, Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde: The Musical, and as Henry in Newsies. Upon graduation, Ainsley plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Sarah Sachi Menendez
Mama Euralie
Sarah is a senior theatre major from Pearland, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Agnes in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms, and Mrs. Bennet in Pride & Prejudice. At other institutions, she has appeared as Corrie Bratter in Barefoot in the Park, Rachel in The Baby Dance, and as Mrs. Corry/Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins. Upon graduation, Sarah plans to pursue a career in acting.
Mya Bryant
Erzulie
Mya is a sophomore musical theatre major from Missouri City, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Vicky in Bright Half Life and as a member of the ensemble in Heathers: The Musical. Upon graduation, Mya plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.
Danny Moore
Tonton Julian
Danny is a junior musical theatre major from Round Rock, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Flick in Violet. Upon graduation, Danny plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.
Glendaliris Torres Greaux
Asaka
Glendaliris is a sophomore musical theatre major living in Katy, Texas but originally, she is from Puerto Rico. SHSU audiences may remember her as Lula Buffington/Almeta/Bus Passenger in Violet. Upon graduation, Glendaliris plans to pursue a career in musical theatre and choreography.
Rayevin Johnson
Papa Ge
Rayevin is a sophomore musical theatre major Sugarland, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as a member of the ensemble in Sonnets for an Old Century At other institutions, she has appeared as Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, and was the assistant stage manager for Heathers. Upon graduation, Rayevin plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.
Nicolas Antonio
Storyteller
Nicolas is a junior musical theatre major from Pearland, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as a member of the ensemble in Heathers and as the assistant stage manager for The Pavilion. At other institutions, he has appeared as the Younger Brother in Ragtime, and as a member of the ensemble in Memphis & Amadeus. Upon graduation, Nicolas plans to pursue a career in acting.
Armani Brown
Storyteller
Armani is a freshman musical theatre major from Houston, Texas. This is his debut to the SHSU stage & screen. He is delighted to be a part of this production. At other institutions, he has appeared as Frank/Headband Boy in A Chorus Line, a Wickersham Brother in Seussical The Musical, and was an ensemble member in Ragtime and Oklahoma!. Upon graduation, Armani plans to pursue a career in acting.
Brandon Collins
Storyteller
Brandon is a sophomore theatre major from Tyler, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as a member of the ensemble in Sonnets for an Old Century. At other institutions, he has appeared as Mouthpiece in West Side Story, JoJo in Newsies, and Rodney in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Upon graduation, Brandon plans to pursue a career in acting.
Joshua Hadnot
Storyteller
Joshua is a sophomore musical theatre major from Humble, Texas SHSU audiences may remember him as Steve, the Math Tudor/The Great Mage Steve in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms and as Chris in Sweat. Upon graduation, Joshua plans to pursue a career in acting.
Macy Herrera
Storyteller
Macy is a sophomore musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as a member of the ensemble in Sonnets for an Old Century. At other institutions, she has appeared as Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors. Upon graduation, Macy plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.
Eric Larson
Storyteller
Eric is a freshman musical theatre major from Austin, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as a member of the ensemble in Let Me Down Easy. At other institutions, he has appeared as Edward Bloom in Big Fish, Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia and as Usnavi in In the Heights. Upon graduation, Eric plans to pursue a career in acting, design and teaching.
Maya Hernández-Pearson
Storyteller/Andrea/Dance Captain
Maya is a junior theatre major from Dallas, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as a member of the ensemble in Let Me Down Easy. Other SHSU credits include Fall 2019’s Masters of Dance. At other institutions, she has appeared as Blossom Trexel in Susan and God, Millie in Picnic, and as Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Upon graduation, Maya plans to pursue a career in acting.
Fernanda Schoening
Storyteller
Fernanda is a freshman musical theatre major from The Woodlands, Texas. This is her debut to the SHSU stage & screen. She is delighted to be a part of this production. At other institutions, she has appeared as Mimi in Rent, Carrie in Carrie, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, and Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show. Upon graduation, Fernanda plans to pursue a career in acting.
Mickey Pellum
Storyteller
Makayla is a sophomore theatre major from Spring, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Lilith Morningstar/Lilly. At other Institutions, she has appeared as Vanessa in In the Heights and as Lady Larkin in Once Upon a Mattress. Upon graduation, Mickey plans to pursue a career in acting.
DeShawn Prescott
Storyteller
DeShawn is a senior theatre major from Houston, Texas. This is his debut to the SHSU stage & screen. He is delighted to be a part of this production. Upon graduation, DeShawn plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Javon Rougely
Stage Manager
Javon is a Junior theatre major from Texas City, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as the stage manager for Cry it Out and as the assistant stage manager for Violet and Sweat. Upon graduation, Javon plans to pursue a career in directing and education.
Adam Harkay
Assistant Stage Manager
Adam is a junior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as King Edward/Ghost Henry VI in Richard III, Chuck in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms. At other institutions, he has appeared as Arthur Kipps in The Woman in Black, Mr. Cladwell in Urinetown, and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. In addition to his performance credits, Adam was employed as the Director of High School Theatre for the Houston Independent School District. Upon graduation, Adam plans to pursue a career in directing, teaching and performance.
Taylor Orsak
Assistant Stage Manager
Taylor is a junior theatre major from Victoria, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Adrienne in Cry it Out and as an ensemble member in Sonnets for an Old Century. Other SHSU credits include costume run crew for Actually and The Wolves. At other institutions, she has appeared as Frenchy in Grease, Marian Paroo in The Music Man, and Gloria in Boeing Boeing. Upon graduation, Taylor plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Jay Salazar
Associate Sound Designer
Jay is a senior theatre major from Pasadena, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her work as the assistant sound mixer for Richard III, the assistant sound designer for She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms as well as the sound designer for Almost, Maine, Cloud Tectonics, Pride & Prejudice, The Mountaintop, Eleemosynary, Actually and The Wolves. At other institutions, she was the sound designer/engineer for South Pacific, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Anna in the Tropics. Upon graduation, Jay plans to pursue a career in design.
Ashley Stehling
Assistant Costume Designer
Ashley is a senior theatre major from Spring, Texas. This is her debut design and she is delighted to be a part of this production. Upon graduation, Ashley plans to pursue a career in scenic art and properties design.