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Anne Frank: Anne Frank

Experiencing the Arts Takes 145 to The Diary of Anne Frank


On March 16th, 145 Mascoma Valley Regional High School and Indian River School students and faculty loaded into three busses traveling to The Briggs Opera House in White River Junction. Students were included from the US History classes, Modern European History, Geography, Experiencing the Arts, as well as 22 studying the holocaust at Indian River School. In a sold out matinee performance, they were treated to an excellent performance of The Diary of Anne Frank by Northern Stage. The characters were effectively brought to life by a competent cast. Most of the performers were professional actors, however, the title role of Anne Frank was played by a Lebanon High School student, and the role of Peter was played by a student from Hanover High School. The field trip was the largest sponsored by the Experiencing the Arts program to date, and has been planned since last Spring.

The Diary of Anne Frank is an emotional play depicting conditions forced on many Jews during the Nazi occupation of World War II. Students watched the story of eight people hiding together in an attic for two years. In the Northern Stage production, there was an excellent balance of the conflict and humor created by these conditions. Many of Mascoma's students had strong reactions to the play.

Eben Brown said, "I was most effected by the scenes where there was suspense caused by such things as the phone ringing or by something heard down below, You would stay still, in suspense, with your heart pounding -- as though you were there."

Kate Johnson described the first act as "A very well acted depiction of the ways people can grow to hate and distrust each other even when they are depending on each other for their surival. I was most effected by the scene when Mrs Frank "broke" and wanted to kick Mr. Vandant out (for stealing their food)." The second act she found to be "A perfect example of the exact opposite -- the way hope can survive."

As a regular performer in Mascoma's dramatic productions, Annie Taliaferro was most effected by the stressful and emotional parts of the play, "Like the romantic scene between Anne and Peter, and the scenes of the fighting between them all. I really saw their characters come out in these parts making me believe it was all happening and forget the fact it was just a play."

Stephanie Rand was most effected by the kindness, "That they would let the Jewish people hide in their house even when they didn't have enough food, they made room and rationed their food." This helped Stephanie believe, "If I was alive back then, and was Jewish, I would have a place to stay and hide; they would protect me from the (Nazi) police."

Sierra Stark reacted, "I was most effected when they found out about their friends and by how crushed they were when they got taken away. This was by far my most favorite production. Because it was based on a true event, it was truly inspirational."