One of San Domenico’s longest, most sacred traditions is the Christmas Tableaux. For the 118th year, in early December, students, teachers, faculty and alums all gather at the Hall of the Arts to watch the reenactment of Jesus’s birth. The most important roles in the show are, of course, Mary and Joseph. Each year, these roles are played by two seniors voted by the people who know them best: their classmates.
Jennifer Grimes, the theater teacher at San Domenico, has been in charge of Tableaux for many years.
“It’s a very important event for the school,” Grimes said. “And I think connected with that is honoring students with certain qualities that are the qualities of Mary and Joseph.”
“Mary is the person who will take on huge responsibilities,” Grimes said. “Not because it will make them look better, but because it’s the right thing to do.”
Chosen this year to play Mary, is Kaia Berg-Smith. Berg-Smith has been going to San Domenico since seventh grade and is a part of many extracurriculars including Dance Ensemble, National Honors Society, and is student body president. The first time Berg-Smith became a part of Tableaux was during her Sophomore year.
“I joined my sophomore and junior year as an angel,” Berg-Smith said. “It was a very sweet experience because I love bringing the Christmas story to life.”
Berg-Smith’s experiences with Tableaux have only gotten better every year.
“I loved meeting all the other participants,” Berg-Smith said. “And Chi did such a wonderful job; he was so dedicated to it.”
Senior Chidera Onyeukwu was chosen to play Joseph. Onyeukwu has been a vibrant part of San Domenico’s community since he joined in eighth grade. As a dedicated athlete and leader, Onyeukwu, like Berg-Smith, shares many qualities with his character, Joseph.
“Joseph’s quality is the person who is always supportive of their friends and their family and will help you through the hardest situations,” Grimes said. “So you can kind of see how those two work together.”
Being chosen to be Mary or Joseph is a huge honor, as expressed by each of the students.
“Being voted Joseph by my peers is a huge honor,” Onyeukwu said. “Because it means that for the past four years of high school my peers have seen me as someone that is kind to all and is always there to support others in need.”
These two seniors were the perfect choices for this year’s Tableaux, embodying the spirit and dedication that this tradition upholds. Through their hard work, creativity, and passion, they not only upheld the legacy of this cherished event, but also brought it to life with some renewed energy and meaning.