“What Once Was” is a Holocaust remembrance play that took place in El Paso, Texas on January 27, 2025.
The El Paso Foundation and the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center came together to present the play at the Plaza Theater.
The play was a multimedia theatrical production that included live performances with music, dance, and video projections; its purpose was to give recognition to all the atrocities that unfolded during World War II.
The production was a reimagined version of the original play which was written in 1985.
Bringing history to life through a theatrical experience, “What Once Was” aimed to honor Holocaust victims while emphasizing the importance of education and remembrance in today’s world.
One of Loretto Academy’s students, Barbara Wilson, attended the play; she was moved by the play’s powerful message.
Barbara’s interest in the play sparked due to Mrs. Lockhart’s Holocaust Studies class which she took last semester.
She said, “When the opportunity to attend the ‘What Once Was: A Holocaust Memorial Play’ arose, I immediately took it.”
The theatre was full and Barbara had the opportunity to meet Beto O’Rourke, former United States Representative, who was in the crowd.
A scene that stood out to Barbara was when the character of Anne Frank was introduced into the play, and read pieces of her diary.
This added the sense of realization that this was a real event in history and that an astonishing amount of people were and still are affected by it.
Her favorite quote from the play was by Chava Romero, social media manager of “What Once Was.”
She said, “Learning about the Holocaust matters because we live in an era where misinformation thrives, threatening to erase the memories of those who lived through truth.”
The Holocaust serves as a reminder that in order to not repeat history, it is important to never forget it.
In today’s society, wars such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict make it difficult to remember that everyone is human.
Through these powerful performances and historical reflection, the production reinforced the role of remembrance in fostering a more informed and conscientious future.
