Texas Theatre & Dance's THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Begins Tonight

The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents the story known across the world, The Diary of Anne Frank, tonight, October 8, through October 18, 2015 at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre.

The Diary of Anne Frank is the haunting, yet inspiring account of a young Jewish girl and her family's lives during World War II. Seeking refuge from Nazi persecution, Anne, along with seven others, hid in a "secret annex" in Amsterdam for two years. Told through recordings in Anne's cherished diary, the play stands as a timeless reflection of her fear, hope and faith during one of the darkest periods in history.

"Our season begins with a symbol of the Holocaust, one that is more powerful and enduring than any Nazi evil. The beauty and profundity of a diary written by a Jewish girl hiding for over two years in an Amsterdam attic is the subject of our first offering this season," shares Dr. Brant Pope, Department of Theatre and Dance chairman. "We are pleased to present the play in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Allied liberation of the Nazi death camps."

Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, The Diary of Anne Frank premiered at the Cort Theatre on Broadway in October 1955. Deemed a critical success, the play received the Tony Award for Best Play and was nominated for several other Tony Awards. Goodrich and Hackett were awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 1956.

The production of The Diary of Anne Frank is the centerpiece for a two-day symposium, taking place October 8-9, 2015, which commemorates the unspeakable tragedy of the Holocaust while celebrating the poignant works of artistry and intellect that will continue to endure for generations. The Anne Frank: Holocaust, Memory and Performance Symposium will consider the cultural impact of Anne Frank as a symbol and conduit for grappling with the history of the Holocaust, as well as the crucial ways in which the arts and performance engender dialogue about Holocaust, bigotry, memory, trauma and representation. Leading scholars, curators and performing artists, including cultural historian Dr. Jeffrey Shandler, co-editor of Anne Frank Unbound: Media, Imagination, Memory, will address the Holocaust and its representation in a variety of fields.

The Anne Frank: Holocaust, Memory and Performance Symposium is presented by The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance and the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies. Admission to the symposium keynote presentation, panels and round table discussions is free and open to the public.

The Diary of Anne Frank features an all-star cast of University of Texas at Austin students, including: Eli Weinberg as Mr. Frank, Natalie Patton as Miep, Baylie Figueroa as Mrs. Van Daan, Ian Price as Mr. Van Dann, Robert Di Donato as Peter Van Daan, Izabella Arnold as Mrs. Frank, Kristen Rainey as Margot Frank, Ellie Dubin as Anne Frank, Chance Steward as Mr. Kraler and Jadon Hatley as Mr. Dussell.

Direction by Brant Pope Ÿ Dramaturgy by Laura Baggs Ÿ Technical Direction by Scott Bussey Ÿ Scenic Design by David Molina-Garza Ÿ Media Design by Matt Smith Ÿ Lighting Design by Po Yang-Sung Ÿ Costume Design by Kelsey Vidic Ÿ Stage Management by Julie Maury

For more information on The Diary of Anne Frank and the Anne Frank: Holocaust, Memory and Performance Symposium, please visit JoinTheDrama.org

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