In-School Performance

Play Synopsis

Majka is a girl whose life is forever changed by an ocean voyage. Majka is taken out of school to sail with her parents as they work aboard the S.S. St. Louis, a German ocean liner on a special trip in 1939. The passengers onboard are 900 Jewish refugees seeking escape from life under Nazi rule. Majka has been raised in this world, but all she’s been taught is now challenged by a growing friendship with a young Jewish passenger, Liesl. Majka must decide which side she is on. Meanwhile, the ship is being denied entry into any port, raising the prospect of the refugees having to go back to the horrors of Nazi Germany. Set during this historic tragic voyage, the play explores themes of friendship, prejudice, anti-Semitism, heroism, and culpability.

Description of the Experience

No Going Back offers an intimate, immersive experience directly in your classroom. Performed with limited props and costumes, this 45-minute one-woman show is followed by a 30-minute Q&A session where students can engage with performer Debra K. Stevens. Additionally, the program includes workshops designed to deepen the learning experience, helping students process the themes and apply them to their own lives through interactive activities.

No Going Back opens doors for vital conversations about history, personal responsibility, and the importance of being an upstander. This unique program aligns with Arizona’s genocide and Holocaust curriculum standards, providing students with a powerful, personal connection to historical events and encouraging them to consider their roles in impacting their communities.