Westover Students Bring Revolutionary History to Life
As Middlebury prepares to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and the dedication of the Rochambeau plaza and monument at Meadowview Park, students at Westover School have found a new way to tell an old story. Working in collaboration with the Middlebury Historical Society, Westover students created BREAKNECK: The March Through Middlebury, an original video performance inspired by the storytelling style and energy of the Broadway musical Hamilton. The project tells the story of the French troops who marched through Middlebury in June 1781 on their way to join General George Washington in the campaign that ultimately led to victory at Yorktown.
The Hamilton-inspired approach was intentional. Just as the Broadway musical introduced modern audiences to the story of Alexander Hamilton and the nation's founding, the Westover production seeks to connect today's audiences with another important Revolutionary War story — the march of Rochambeau's French army through Connecticut and its contribution to American independence. Rather than focusing only on generals and battles, the performance highlights the thousands of ordinary French soldiers who passed through towns like Middlebury nearly 245 years ago.
The project began earlier this year when members of the Middlebury Historical Society approached Westover with the idea of creating a student-produced video connected to the upcoming monument dedication and America 250 activities. Students, faculty, and staff embraced the idea, producing a fast-paced performance that combines spoken-word rhythm, music, historical imagery, and modern video production techniques. Student performers from Westover's Class of 2028 include Ana de Aza Mayorga, Kayleigh Evans, Nadia Sackey, Nara Rojas, and Amelia Martin. The production was directed musically by Julia Atwood, with videography and editing by Lindsay Harlow and support from numerous members of the Westover community. The completed video includes professionally produced captions and historical imagery that help bring the story to life for modern audiences.
The collaboration demonstrates that local history can still inspire creativity, education, and community partnerships. Nearly two and a half centuries after French troops marched through Middlebury, a new generation has found a way to tell their story.