By Emily Jaycox
For the Independent
Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus presents a production of The Diary of Anne Frank from Feb. 21 to 23 at the Performing Arts Centre.
The famous holocaust story was chosen because it’s an important non-fiction story to tell and it appeals to young audiences as Anne was just 13-years-old when she entered the attic, hiding from the Nazis says drama teacher Darren Fleischhacker.
“Everybody needs to know about this time in history,” said Fleischhacker in an interview during the production’s dress rehearsal Feb. 20.
The curtains will open at 7:30 p.m. each of the three nights for this two-hour and 15-minute long show.
The lead role of Anne is being played by Grade 11 student Taylor Fornwald.
The production has a cast of 10 and a crew of 10 and includes many set changes.
Although the play takes place primarily in the attic, many months of time go by between scenes.
The crew worked hard on the sets and Fleischhacker says they “look amazing.”
The play is completely student-run and student driven-once the lights go down.
The Anne Frank story has particular meaning for Fleischhacker, who’s background is Jewish and last name is German.
His grandfather was born on a ship coming from New York. His grandfather’s mother was Jewish and fleeing Germany.
His grandfather was on a New York orphan train and eventually adopted by a German family.
“Please come and see the show and learn from lessons of the past.”
Tickets will be available at the door and are $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults.
In June, the school will perform a comedy, “Clue on Stage,” based on the murder mystery board game.
“So many good kids auditioned that we decided to do two full-length productions this year.”