Ti Jean and His Brothers

by Derek Walcott

Ti Jean and His Brothers (1958) by Nobel Prize-winning poet and playwright Derek Walcott is a fable set in a forest that tells the story of three brothers, their individual weaknesses, and their quest to beat the Devil at his own games. Fables are generally intended to produce life-lessons in the form of fairy tales. This fable, which includes music and dance, draws on themes of pride versus humility, faith, colonialism, and capitalism. Featuring traditional characters like Papa Bois and the Bolom and a host of animal narrators, this work is a testament to how Caribbean people consolidate a painful history through the arts as Walcott threads tones of colonialism through a story of adventure. Directed by alumna abigail jean-baptiste ’18 and featuring Princeton senior Aleena Brown ’25.

A talkback will follow the show on April 12, featuring a discussion between Fulbright Scholar and Lecturer in French & Italian Johnny Laforêt, project proposer Brown, and actor and stage manager Mya Ramhi ’26.

Photo Highlights

Four people on stage in a theatrical scene, with one reading a book and others seated nearby.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Three actors in historical attire perform a dramatic scene on stage, with one holding a cross, another an axe, and a "Holy Bible" visible on a table.

Princeton students perform "Ti Jean and His Brothers" by Derek Walcott. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Two people on a stage, one holding a coiled rope, the other in a costume with a hat and mask.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

A person in a mask and brown robe sits on a bench, posing expressively.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Two actors on stage, one gesturing with a paper in hand, the other standing near wooden crosses in dim lighting.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Performers in colorful costumes on stage, centered around a person in a dress and shawl.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Theatrical performance on a wooden stage; two performers in colorful outfits stand in the center, surrounded by four others sitting or crouching.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Two people in colorful plaid outfits on a dimly lit stage.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

A person on stage holds a wooden cross while sitting in contemplation, with other performers in colorful costumes in the background.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Three actors on stage: one carries an axe, another in a dress stands facing them, and a third lies on the ground.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Actor holding an axe standing over another actor seated and dressed in tattered clothes on a stage

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Two theatrical performers sit on a bench; one in white attire, the other in a ragged, earthy costume with a mask and hat, holding a book.

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Ti Jean and His Brothers is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

View the show playbill

Tickets & Details

Performances are free and open to the public; advance tickets required.

Get free tickets through University Ticketing

Reach University Ticketing by email at tixhelp@princeton.edu or by phone at 609-258-9220, or visit the Frist Campus Center Ticket Office, open weekdays 12-4 PM.

Directions

Enter the Lewis Arts complex through the main Forum level entry doors located across from the Princeton NJ Transit Station/Wawa. All other entry doors are locked on weekends.

Get directions to the Wallace Theater, located on the Forum level of the Lewis Arts complex.

Accessibility

The Wallace Theater is an accessible venue with an assistive listening system. The performance on April 18 will include open/live captioning (CART). Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information about our various locations. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.

Events

Ti Jean and His Brothers by Derek Walcott

Event Overview

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Admission