The Diary of Anne Frank - Peoples Light

The Peoples Light production of The Diary of Anne Frank has been well over a year in the making From early in last season to now, Peoples Light had very curious, honest, challenging, soul-searching, and affirming discussions drawing on the insights and expertise of community members, faith-leaders, scholars, cultural directors, artists, and our own staff and company about identity, about representation, about inclusion, about exclusion, about intentional invitations, about the many possible points of entry to and points of departure from the contents of young Anne’s diary. 

In this process, they wondered just how this persecuted 13-year old’s voice would resonate in our present moment. Through these intensive, and often ongoing conversations, they learned about the needs and wishes of many neighbors and community partners. They also learned more about themselves and each other – the individuals on our staff, in our company, and on the team for Anne Frank­. In fact, two individuals, each grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, felt compelled to share their personal stories because of the nature of these conversations and their approach to this production. All of these conversations directly inform the shaping of this production. What they have learned has inspired the scope and content of our expanded surround programming as well. 

This was an absolutely incredible journey into the life of Anne Frank.  

Amsterdam, 1942. In a cramped, secret annex, eight Jewish refugees attempt to evade Nazi deportation. Anne Frank, a teenage girl with a vibrant spirit and a gift for writing, chronicles the courage and terror of their life in hiding. Our production, featuring a multi-racial cast, honors this “undeniably moving” (The New York Times) story as it speaks to today’s increasingly nationalistic world.