Cap-Haïtien theater company ‘Kay’Art’ revives untold history of Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ assassination | Photos

Cap-Haitien — Taking a page from Haiti’s historical past, the theater troupe Kay’Art is bringing lesser-known moments of history and long-ignored figures back into focus, starting with the death of freedom fighter and liberator Jean-Jacques Dessalines on Oct. 17, 1806, a chapter still marked by unanswered questions.

On Oct. 9, at the auditorium of Collège Notre-Dame du Cap-Haïtien, the group presented its original play, “Dessalines, Haine ou Ambition de pouvoir” or “Dessalines, Hatred or a Drive for Power,” to revive these forgotten fragments of history. The play overseen by historians, including Angelot Bell, is the troupe’s attempt to highlight details and perspectives rarely documented in archives and represented in mainstream teachings about Jean-Jacques Dessalines’s assassination on Oct. 17, 1806.

“Dessalines is the father of the nation, yet very few documents detail the circumstances of his assassination,” said Kay’Art’s president, Chris Withersny Bell.

“Dessalines is the father of the nation, yet very few documents detail the circumstances of his assassination.”

Actor Chris Withersny Bell

The play also explores the motivations of the generals involved in killing the head of state, including their internal conflicts and the political pressures of the young republic. Some believed that difficult decisions were necessary to secure the future of the young Republic, Kay’Art play producers say.

“The goal is not to justify [Generals] General Alexandre Pétion, General Henry Christophe, or others involved, but to present the context in which their decisions were made,” Chris, also a member of the production team, said to The Haitian Times.

• Actors and production team of Kay’Art behind the scene posing for a photo a few minutes before the start of the presentation.
• Director Hed’D Benton’N Charitable thanks the audience after the closing of the play

For some of the actors, the process highlighted how much of Haiti’s early history remains fragmented. Bernard Audigé, one of the actors, said his role confronted him with the many gaps in Haiti’s historical narrative.

 “Playing Dessalines helped me realize how little we truly know about Haiti’s history, and how many omissions exist. Anyone who attended the play can see how much remains unsaid,” he told The Haitian Times.

One scene that drew strong reactions was the portrayal of Dessalines’s relationship with Euphémie Daguilh, depicted as the mother of his last child. The play presents one historical interpretation suggesting she may have collaborated with General Yayou in the plot that led to the ambush of Dessalines at Pont-Rouge, Port-au-Prince — a moment the troupe says illustrates how many competing narratives still exist.

Playing Dessalines helped me realize how little we truly know about Haiti’s history.”

Actor Dave Barnard Audigé

The production also incorporated folkloric dance sequences, connecting the performance to Haiti’s cultural traditions. Among the most talked-about scenes was the depiction of Dessalines’s final moments at Pont-Rouge. A spectator described the staging as symbolizing “the presence of spirits guiding Dessalines — and the moment he seemed ready to part with them.”

Kay’Art was founded in November 2023, and troupe members say their mission is to revive theater in the north while bringing lesser-known parts of Haitian history to younger audiences. Their latest play, they say, is only the beginning.

Below are the photos from Kay’Art play:

A scene about a meeting between Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines and several Generals. From left to right General Alexandre Pétion, General Louis Félix Boisrond Tonnerre, Yayou, and Étienne Élie Gérin. They were discussing placing Dessalines at the head of power and appointing him as Governor for life.
A scene describing the moment Dessalines is chosen as Governor for life and Generals Étienne Élie Gérin. General Alexandre Pétion, and General Louis Félix Boisrond Tonnerre drank in his honor. Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ wife, Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur — played by Erica Arélus — at the banquet celebrating Emperor Dessalines’ coronation.
A scene of the banquet celebrating Emperor Dessalines’ coronation. From left to right, a woman emissary in white stands next to the historical character known as General Yayou, Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur — played by Erica Arélus — as Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ wife, and Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
The three female actors who played Marie, Marie Sainte Dédée Bazile known as ‘Defilé la folle”, and Zazou, came to Dessalines to warn him about the way he was governing — he wasn’t respecting the rules and the “lwa,” spirits and even went so far as to persecute Vodou practitioners. A scene in the play showing Jean-Jacques Dessalines shares his thoughts with General Charlotin Marcadieu about what’s happening in the country at Euphémie’s house.
In this scene Jean-Jacques Dessalines is seen giving his mistress, Euphémie Daguilh, the box containing ‘his secret’. Dessalines is telling Euphémie Daguilh why he cannot die.
A scene in which Yayou went to Euphémie Daguilh’s house to know the secret that Jean-Jacques Dessalines had entrusted to her. According to the myths, he swapped the box containing Dessalines’ soul for another.
The three actors playing Generals Louis Félix Boisrond Tonnerre, General Charlotin Marcadieu, and Jean-Jacques Dessalines arrived at Pont Rouge, where Dessalines was later killed. Défilé La folle or Défilé the madwoman weeping over Dessalines’ lifeless body after his assassination at Pont Rouge. A view of the guests who attended the play.

The full list of actors cast in the production 

Actor Name: Role play

Dave Barnard Audige: Founding Father, Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines 

Erica Arélus: Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur, Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ wife

Mihiela Salomon: Euphémie Daguilh, Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ lover in the South region 

Stephie Judelsha Choute: Marie Sainte Dédée Bazile known as Défilé La Folle

Syndic Jean Wall Justafort: General known as Yayou

Chris Withersny Bell: General Alexandre Pétion 

Fénelon Dash Muller: General Charlotin Marcadieu  

Swantz Faby Mesadieu: General Henry Christophe 

Saint Florin Volvagen: General Louis Félix Boisrond Tonnerre

Olivier Papouloute: Étienne Élie Gérin

Ruth Idly Fils Aimable: The woman emmisary

Nathanaël Saint-Florin: Juste Chanlatte, Jean-Jacques Dessalines Secretary 

CheniLove Saint fleur: Célimène Dessalines, daughter of Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Gandy Choute: Colonel Chancy 

Gaëlle Moncher: Colonel Perrier 

Rachelle Lebrun: Marie 

Eugène Ayiza: Zazou 

Producer : Hed’D Benton’N Charitable

* All the characters photos are not shown in the story

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