Anne Frank Production Presents An Emotional Challenge To NHS Drama Club

By Tanjua Damon

“I want to go on living after I’m dead,” Anne Frank wrote in her diary.

Many in the Newtown High School Drama Club fall production of The Diary of Anne Frank find the line overwhelming and ironic since the story of her life has become so well known and has affected so many.

“This play has taught me a lot about life,” stage manager Lauri Marion said. “It’s really significant. She was obviously a very intelligent girl. It humanizes the entire production.”

There will be three performances November 16 and 17. This year’s production is director by senior Michael Sobo. There are 13 members in the cast.

Preparing for the production has been challenging for many of the cast members because of the content and the emotion that comes with it.

“It’s very dramatic,” assistant director Brett Boles said. “The cast has had a hard time dealing with it.”

People make connections in various ways, but the story line of the play shows two families coming together as one in a stressful environment – that of a small attic.

“It has a lot to do with family. Family is the center of our lives. That’s how we grow,” Brett said. “There are two separate families and a man. By the end they are all a family. It’s really sad that they separate them. That’s how they really destroyed people – by taking away their families. I think that’s what people should realize. Family is really important.”

Katie Fuller plays the role of Anne. She enjoys the opportunity to play another role outside of the person that she actually is and being able to develop a character through acting.

“It doesn’t seem hard for me. It’s fun. It seems weird saying that, playing a character like Anne Frank,” Katie said. “It’s fun being someone else.”

The message The Diary of Anne Frank sends is one of compassion and diversity. It is quite fitting for the issues facing the country today. That is why people should come see the performance, Katie said.

“They should come see it because it’s a really powerful play at the end,” she said. “It’s different from your normal everyday play you go to see. It really makes you think, and right now it will really touch people.”

Chris Miller plays Mr Van Daan. He admits he was not quite sure about the play when he first heard about the fall production. But now that he is involved, he likes the story line and set up of the play.

“It’s a very good story line. Everybody is on stage. It gives the view that everyone is trapped in the attic,” Chris said. “I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about the play. It’s a lot harder than I thought. It’s emotionally taxing. I really do like this. It’s an excellent one. It brings out our high school talent because it is so challenging.”

The rest of the cast includes Scott Jackson as Otto Frank, Amanda Tredger as Edith Frank, Beth Leety as Mrs Van Daan, Caitlyn McNerney as Margot Frank, Erik Bagger as Peter Van Daan, Josh Ellen as Mr Dussel, Jenn Dunseith as Miep Coies, Tim Robinson as Mr Kraler, and Ryan Greene, James Dellasala, and Paul Ashey as the three Nazi’s.

Pamela Lynn Henry designed the set for the upcoming show. She wants the audience to sense the small atmosphere of the attic and have the colors of the set bring out the depression and sadness that weighs on the characters of the cast.

“I wanted it to look really cramped because they are in an attic. I like the exposed beams on the top. Everything is really small,” Pamela Lynn said. “Everything is dark and dreary except Anne’s room.”

The Diary of Anne Frank will be performed November 16 at 7:30 pm and November 17 at 2 and 8 pm. Tickets are $11 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens.