Maltz Jupiter Theatre Students Work Together to Produce THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

A cast and creative team made up of local middle and high school students are dedicating their summer to retelling the powerful true story of Anne Frank and her family.

Under the guidance of industry professionals at Florida's largest award-winning professional regional theatre, students are taking part in a free summer mentorship program to produce the drama The Diary of Anne Frank. The show will take place on the Theatre's stage on Saturday, August 12.

The Diary of Anne Frank tells the true story about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic. Based on the diary entries of a young teen, this play captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence; their fear, hope, laughter and grief.

Each day of these two dark years, Anne's voice shines through: "When I write, I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!"

A stage adaptation of the popular book, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (the original book of writings from Frank's Dutch language diary), the play is a dramatization by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman.

Known as the Youth Artists' Chair, the project aligns high school students with individual Theatre staff members for one-on-one mentoring and guidance during the creation process of the show. Since 2011, students have produced the dramas Rhinoceros, The Glass Menagerie, The Crucible, Hamlet, The Laramie Project and The Good Times are Killing Me.

"The Diary of Anne Frank is a young person's story being brought to life by young people," said Julie Rowe, the Theatre's director of education. "The Youth Artists' Chair program is a wonderful annual opportunity for local students to spend their summer working on a relevant, important project with their peers."

After passing through an extensive interview and selection process, the student creative team consists of: Ashley Banker (Director), 16, of Jupiter; Cassidy Batts (Lighting Designer), 17, of Jupiter Farms; Emily Betts (Producer), 17, of Jupiter; Taylor Buddemeier (Marketing Director), 18, of Jupiter Farms; Brielle Cohen (Costume Designer), 15, of Jupiter; Lorena Forero (Run Crew) 15, Jupiter; Mitchell Hockenson (Props Assistant), 15, of Jupiter; Chloe Laine-Lobsinger (Production Stage Manager), 13, of Jupiter; Abbey Matusik (Sound Designer), 16, of Jupiter; Emily Matusik (Props Master), 14, of Jupiter; Dylan Plotkin (Scenic Designer), 16, of Jupiter; Mia Rubin (Audio Assistant), 12, of Jupiter; Katelyn Smallwood ( Dramaturg Assistant), 16, of Jupiter; Ashley Smith (Wardrobe), 15, of Jupiter; Lauren Thomas (Dramaturg),16, of Jupiter.

"My experience as a dramaturg has opened my eyes to a new side of theatre. Not only has my creativity blossomed, but I have learned the true meaning of research - and how a show with such rich history needs utmost accuracy to be complete," said the production's dramaturg Lauren Thomas, a junior homeschooled student. "The process of producing this show has been very impactful for all of us because not only do we discuss the holocaust, but we discuss how to prevent an event like it from ever happening again."

Tickets are on sale now for The Diary of Anne Frank, which will take place on the Theatre's stage on Saturday, August 12, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children. Please note that this piece explores mature themes. Visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call (561) 575-2223.

About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre
The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida's preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state's largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,760 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida's highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence. For more information about the Theatre's upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.

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