Rogers Heritage High School kicked off the winter season with a powerful and spirited stage production of A Christmas Carol on November 14 and November 15, drawing in students, families and community members for a night of Victorian story-retelling and a heartfelt performance.

The theater department, led by teacher Michael Schwartz, transformed the stage into Charles Dickens’ 19th-century London, following the timeless journey of Ebenezer Scrooge as he confronts his past, present and future. The production featured a full student cast, intricate costuming, and a mix of emotional drama and festive charm.

Among the performers was sophomore Jenna Mondragon, who took on the role of Mrs. Cratchit, the heart of the Cratchit family. For Mondragon, stepping into such a meaningful character was a highlight of her year.

Though earlier productions like The Archie Christmas Radio Show and Eight Minutes Left had already helped sharpen her skills, Mondragon admitted that one moment in the show posed a unique challenge: the emotional scene where Mrs. Cratchit grieves the loss of her youngest child, Tiny Tim, played by sophomore James Harrod. This scene demanded a level of depth and authenticity she had never attempted before.

“One scene I found very challenging to do was when Mrs. Cratchit is deeply and visibly distraught and upset at the death of her child,” Mondragon said in an email. “I had to figure out many ways on how to complete the act with lots of emotion that would touch the audience.”

To prepare, Mondragon embraced a method-acting approach, imagining how she herself would react in such a devastating situation. ”I had to prepare emotionally for that scene by putting myself as her and how I would act if I had lost my own child.” The results, she said, were transformative. 

While the spotlight shone bright on individual, significant actors—Christmas of the past, played by Tieyler Boysen (12), Christmas of the present, played by Jaime Nunez (12) and Christmas of the future, played by technical theater student, Kenan Cook (9) — Mondragon made it clear that the production was a collective success.

As the final curtain closed and applause filled the auditorium, it was clear that the classic message of A Christmas Carol, being compassion, reflection and the power of community was alive and well at Rogers Heritage High School.

“I believe everyone, even new actors, were amazing, and I’m so proud of the performance they did for this semester’s play,” said Mondragon.