Designer: Tamryn Taub
Coming this September, the theater program will be taking a jump back into the past to bring a historical brutality back to light.
“The Diary of Anne Frank,” starring Emmerson Pierce as Anne Frank, will be played on Sept. 24, 26 and 27 in the high school’s theater.
“The play we are putting on is a historical show about the time Anne Frank and the other people she lived with spent in hiding as World War II and the tragedy that was the Holocaust raged throughout Europe,” junior Ava Pazak, playing Anne’s sister Margot Frank, said.
The play will be a realistic look into the lives of Anne Frank and her family.
“The play follows the story of the book ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ almost to a T,” senior Catch Haney, playing Anne’s father Otto Frank, said.
“The Diary of Anne Frank” is a famous autobiographical record written by Jewish teenager, Anne Frank, who was hiding from Nazi persecution at the time of World War II.
“Anne Frank was a young girl from Frankfurt, Germany who was forced to relocate to Amsterdam during the Holocaust with her family in order to avoid Nazi oppression. She is an important part of history mainly because of her diary that she worked on while in the Annex,” Pazak said.
Contrary to past shows put on by Orange Light Productions, such as “Make ‘Em Laugh” in 2025, “The Diary of Anne Frank” follows a serious story line with limited comical aspects to allow watchers to get an understanding of the impact the Holocaust had on millions of people.
“The play is definitely realistic to the Frank’s story and the raw, real and sometimes awful aspects of their life in hiding,” Pazak said.
This play is an opportunity for all people to learn more about the social influence the Holocaust had on an abundant number of Jewish individuals.
“What I find about this story is that it brings a personal connection to a period of time and atrocities that are often oversimplified and overlooked. I hope people who watch the show are able to take away that these individuals were no different than you or I, a sentiment I personally have connected with multiple times during this production,” Haney said.
Not only is the production of this play allowing viewers to expand their knowledge of the Holocaust, it has also allowed all members of the play to ascertain more information on this topic as well.
“I definitely feel I have expanded my knowledge of the story of Anne Frank and the Holocaust throughout this production. This show required me to research specifically into various concentration camps around the continent during this period,” Haney said.
A historically significant story can be daunting for many performers due to the need for solemnity at all times of the production.
“When I first heard what the play would be, I was a little intimidated by it because I knew how important it would be to tell this very serious and historically significant story with the utmost respect and reverence. But, I was also honored to get the chance to be a part of sharing the real experiences of these people with others and make sure their stories get told and remembered,” Pazak said.
Off the stage, the actors and actresses are building strong connections that allows them to be closer on stage.
“The most rewarding part of being a part of this production has by far been the new connections I have made with others. The community I have gained through this experience has been nothing but amazing and has helped me gain so much confidence in myself as both an actor and person. I could not be more grateful for all the fun rehearsals, late nights and helpful advice,” Pazak said.
Their bonding continues to grow with each rehearsal on stage, as well.
“We have bonded as a cast by just being with each other so much during rehearsals and by creating good chemistry off stage. It allows for an easier on-stage connection,” Pazak said.
All producers have worked hard to make this play a top-notch performance. Buy your tickets now on the theater’s instagram page @orangelight.productions.
Be the first to comment