Orcas Christian students in first through fifth grades recently attended the Seattle Children’s Theatre production, “100 Dresses,” based on the 1944 book by Eleanor Estes.

Set in the 1930s, the story unfolds as a young Polish immigrant girl, Wanda, tries to adjust to her new home in America, and is exposed to bigotry and bullying.

After the Children’s Theatre performance ended, the actors led the students in a discussion of the play, identifying certain points in the story where events could have taken a different turn if the children in the play had stood up for what they knew was right.

Moriah Claus, OCS student, said “If I was Wanda, it would have been really sad. It makes me want to make sure I don’t hurt others’ feelings, and I want to speak up when other people are being treated unfairly.” The play was interpreted in American Sign Language by two interpreters, which OCS students found especially interesting, as they were able to follow along because of the daily sign language class that is taught at OCS.

A drama class, in which students took different parts of the “100 Dresses” performance, followed the discussion.