Theater Department Continues Inspirational Anne Frank Project on 9/11
On 9/11 the Buffalo State College Theater Department presents The Anne Frank Project, a free, day-long conference that will examine the world’s repeated desire to engage in genocide, and also encourage world improvement through exploration of diversity and global issues.
The project is a continuation of the department’s thought-provoking 2006 production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The production, championed and directed by Theater Department chair and professor Drew Kahn, updated the classic play by weaving the horrors of the 1994 Rwanda Holocaust into Anne’s story set during Hitler’s reign of World War II. Two “Annes” were cast, one, Jewish, hiding from Nazis, the other Tutsi, hiding from Hutu extremists–both speaking Anne’s words.
“The production ignited a passion on campus for world improvement and exploration of diversity,” said Kahn. “This year’s conference fuels the flame we started in 2006. We hope that faculty will include The Anne Frank Project as a requirement for their fall courses so that their students can participate in the conference and return to their classes to debate and discuss what they have learned. This interdisciplinary examination of global issues is the foundation of a campus dedicated to the Liberal Arts.”
The 2009 Anne Frank Project will gather speakers, artists, dancers, actors, musicians, scientists, sociologist, psychologists, writers, singers, storytellers, and survivors to comment on and artistically interpret genocide as a recurring global issue, and also celebrate Anne Frank’s words of wisdom and hope, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank would have turned 80 this year.
Highlights include:
The project is a continuation of the department’s thought-provoking 2006 production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The production, championed and directed by Theater Department chair and professor Drew Kahn, updated the classic play by weaving the horrors of the 1994 Rwanda Holocaust into Anne’s story set during Hitler’s reign of World War II. Two “Annes” were cast, one, Jewish, hiding from Nazis, the other Tutsi, hiding from Hutu extremists–both speaking Anne’s words.
“The production ignited a passion on campus for world improvement and exploration of diversity,” said Kahn. “This year’s conference fuels the flame we started in 2006. We hope that faculty will include The Anne Frank Project as a requirement for their fall courses so that their students can participate in the conference and return to their classes to debate and discuss what they have learned. This interdisciplinary examination of global issues is the foundation of a campus dedicated to the Liberal Arts.”
The 2009 Anne Frank Project will gather speakers, artists, dancers, actors, musicians, scientists, sociologist, psychologists, writers, singers, storytellers, and survivors to comment on and artistically interpret genocide as a recurring global issue, and also celebrate Anne Frank’s words of wisdom and hope, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank would have turned 80 this year.
Highlights include:
- Opening and closing ceremonies
- Keynote speaker from The Anne Frank Center, USA
- Q&A with panel of survivors from a variety of genocides and holocausts
- Presentations and hands on workshops examining intolerance, diversity and genocide from a variety of disciplines and perspectives
- Multiple workshop choices in three different sessions throughout the day
- Evening program including theater, dance, and film presentations at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.
Media Contact:
Phyllis Camesano, Public Relations Director | 7168784325 | camesapa@buffalostate.edu