As the seasons change and days grow shorter, Michaelmas marks a time of gathering strength. The Michaelmas play is the first festival of the school year and honours the archangel Michael, a figure common to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. St. Michael is a symbol of good triumphing over evil. The play teaches the importance of coming together to banish darkness, and on another level, addresses the conflicts within.
In this school-wide celebration, each class assumes the same role that is passed down from grade to grade, year after year. As with so many traditions in Waldorf schools, this tradition becomes an exciting rite of passage as each grade graduates to from role to role as the years go by.
Student Roles:
Grade 1: Gnomes
Grade 2/3: Peasants and farmers
Grade 4/5: Townspeople, nobles, dragon
Grade 6/7: Music
In the play, a destructive dragon is terrorizing the townspeople who look to St. Michael for guidance and courage. The story is relatable – we all face difficulties in life, both internal and external, and somehow we must find the courage and strength to prevail. We celebrate Michaelmas in the Waldorf tradition to remind ourselves of this universal truth.
The festivities include communal meal of stone soup and dragon bread after the play to bring the community together to celebrate the harvest.