‘Diary of Anne Frank’ Opens to Near Sold Out Performances, One Weekend Left

Opening weekend performances of The Diary of Anne Frank were to nearly sold out crowds as East Texas Performing Arts as local performers took to the stage.

East Texas Performing Arts theatre group presents The Diary of Anne Frank on Friday, June 12, 2020, at Thursday, June 18, Friday, June 19, Saturday, June 20 at 7:30m p.m, at The 205 Venue, 205 N. Walnut Street in downtown Jefferson.

Originally scheduled to perform in April, performance dates were rescheduled due to Covid-19. In keeping with social distancing guidelines, seating capacity is limited to 50%. Online reservations are strongly encouraged.

“The Diary of Anne Frank is a historical play about relationships and the fragile dynamics of two families, eight people, living in a small attic in Amsterdam for almost two years during the Jewish Holocaust and the WWII German occupation of Europe,” said director Sara Whitaker. “While these historical characters lived in difficult conditions, dramatic uncertainty, and food shortages, we also view marital strife, the common tension of the mother/daughter relational struggle, and a blossoming friendship of companionship and trust between Anne Frank and Peter Van
Daan.”

The cast includes Karl Frederickson, Emma Pierce, Atticus Gregory Upton-Lewis, Ellen Taylor, James Craver, Brooke Burns, Sara Whitaker, Tara Craver, David McElhaney, and Jeff Taylor.

“My experience playing Anne Frank has been eye opening and immersive to the unimaginable circumstances that the Jewish people suffered,” said Jefferson High School freshman Emma Pierce, who is featured as Anne Frank. “It has shown me how hard these people had to fight, not only to survive, but to keep their sanity as well. This February, the entire cast of Anne Frank took a trip to the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum in Dallas. It was shocking to see the hatred that was shown toward these people who had committed no crime. Seeing those who helped commit such treacherous acts against them, and those who stood by and never did anything is something you never wish to understand. I am so glad I took the opportunity to participate in this production of The Diary of Anne Frank. It has given me the chance to share her story with others, just as she would have wanted.”

Masks will be available and social distancing seating will be arranged. To purchase tickets, go to www.easttexasperformingarts.com or https://opnseo.com/tickets For additional information, call 903-634-7665.