Stage play showcases the resilience and community spirit of the Haitian people

By CHARLOTTE PRONG PARKHILL, Chronicle Staff
The Waterloo Chronicle, Arts & Entertainment
Mar 22, 2011

Since last year, the first thing many people associate with the country of Haiti is “earthquake.” But there is so much more to this Caribbean nation than the 2010 quake that flattened the capital city of Port-au-Prince and killed an estimated 220,000 people.

Now, two Waterloo natives are hoping to change that image with an original stage production called Iron Will.

“The show celebrates a side of Haiti that we so rarely see in the news — the triumph of people who work together and will be a community for each other,” said Rob Irish.

He grew up in Waterloo, and is now directing the large cast of Iron Will, which was written and produced by his friend, Waterloo native Lance Wright, and his wife Peggy.

“A lot of people didn’t pay attention to Haiti until there was an earthquake, but many people have been involved there for many years, and feel very strongly about working there,” Irish said.

Wright and Peggy wrote the script based on stories from their many friends who had done development work in Haiti.

“They started to see that there was a story to be told, an exciting story and a positive story of incredible resilience and hard work, and willingness to sacrifice for each other,” Irish said.

They wrote the script together, with original songs coming from Peggy and others.

After an initial showing at Hamilton Place last year, the group was asked to stage Iron Will in Waterloo by the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), an international organization headquartered here.

Members of MEDA have been involved in development in Haiti for 50 years.

The show, starring Waterloo natives Rachel Young and Kaitlyn Skelly, features a recreation of an entire Haitian village — complete with a full cast from the Hamilton Haitian Association.

“Without ever having to leave the comfort of home you can have a bit of a taste of a Haitian village, Haitian music and dance — the nature of Haitian life and the sense of community,” Irish said.

Iron Will
March 28, 7:30 p.m.
Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo
Tickets $25 adults, $15 students
Call 905-963-7339 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it