Confinement Theme of Theatre Arts Production

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Cast members perform The Diary of Anne Frank

Opening April 26 for five performances, The Diary of Anne Frank will take the audience on a journey to one of history’s darkest periods. Directed by theatre arts department chair Ron Pyle, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play follows the story of Anne Frank, a young girl who persevered through two years of hiding due to her optimism and faith.

The Right Choice

At the beginning of each semester, the theatre department selects a theme that plays an essential part in the playwriting and selection process. Pyle knew this season’s theme had to be different.

“After this year with the pandemic, we wanted to do something different. We wanted to tell a story that resonates with the audience. We wanted to give them characters that are going through emotions that they might be familiar with,” he said.

The theatre department chose the theme of confinement. “For the last couple of months, many of us have felt confined or trapped under the circumstances due to the pandemic, politics and our own lives,” Pyle said.

There were several ideas for potential plays, but the story of Anne Frank and how she coped with living in hiding during World War II became the obvious choice.

Frank was 13 when she went into hiding with her family and four strangers in 1942. Due to their Jewish religion, the eight people hid in a small attic apartment to avoid persecution in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.

“Anne and her family had to learn how to live with a group of people that had very different personalities. Out of the eight people hiding in the secret annex, some had hope while others fell into despair,” Pyle said. “I think this play teaches us all a lot about relationships, forgiveness and learning to have grace for each other.”

An Evening of Reflection

The cast of graduate and undergraduate students working on The Diary of Anne Frank hopes the two-hour play will be a time of remembrance. Kayley Baker, who will be playing Mrs. Frank, believes it is important to tell Anne’s story to never forget the events of the Holocaust.

“We cannot erase history. Stories like these remind us that the trials and tribulations of this world are not necessarily uncommon or new. There is nothing new under the sun, but we still must never forget what has happened. We run the risk of ignorance in such a case,” she said.

See Also: The Importance of Remembering the Holocaust

The story of Anne Frank has inspired millions of people throughout the decades. The theatre department, cast and production team are looking forward to telling her story and showing the audience how optimism can help during difficult times.

“This story shows the perspective of someone who has unbending optimism during one of the darkest times humanity has endured. The hope of Anne during darkness is something that can encourage us today during the massive upheaval and darkness of the past year we have all endured,” Baker said.

Students, faculty, staff and the general public are invited to the five performances of The Diary of Anne Frank at 7:30 p.m. on April 26–27 and on April 29–May 1 in Performance Hall. Purchase tickets online or by calling Programs & Productions at (864) 770-1372.

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