The Niles West Theatre Department is preparing to showcase their second production this year, The Diary of Anne Frank. The show is scheduled to premiere Thursday, Oct. 17 with the 10 AM community performance, followed by the Friday and Saturday performances, at 4 and 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre.

The play is a stage adaptation of “The Diary of a Young Girl”, written by Anne Frank and follows the life of Frank and her family during the Nazi regime during World War 2. The stage is set in the Annex, where Frank and others hid from the Nazis, with the seating allowing the audience to feel like they’re in the Annex as well.

This setup was a direct choice by both the crew and director, Sam Rosenfeld, who is in his first year of teaching theatre at West. This production is the first this school year in which theatre director Andrew Sinclair has handed the reins over to another.

“This show is definitely more immersive compared to our other shows,” senior and sound lead Brylle Abad said. “With the Diary of Anne Frank, you can see that it’s placed in the Annex, but, with our set design, the whole audience is in the Annex as well, which really includes the audience with the story.”

Many people are familiar with the story of Anne Frank, and this production allows the viewers to understand the importance of sharing her story.

“I’m very excited for this production because it’s a story that parallels with our world today,” senior and assistant stage manager Leah Nano said. “I really think the audience will take away a feeling of almost deja vu and realize how important it is this story is. My favorite scene is the ending scene because it’s so unexpected and such a different vibe than the rest of the show, and you can only find out what it is if you come to see the play.”

The theatre department is using this show to not only demonstrate their acting skills but also to educate and elicit an emotional response from the audience.

“I am most excited for the response we’re going to get from the audience,” senior and paint lead Rita Ismayl said. “So far, everyone who has watched it has come out of it crying which is ultimately the goal of the cast. I can’t wait to hear what people have to say about it after watching and to see what they choose to discuss and take from the show.”

Although the plot takes place during World War 2, the social issues: oppression, racism, and hatred are still relevant to this day.

“I hope the audience will see how far oppression can go and how it affects and tears apart families,” Ismayl said. “Although today we obviously don’t have World War 2, people still do harass other due to race and religion. I want the audience to connect with the show and try to understand the pain people go through due to injustice.”

Make sure to come and see all of the theatre department’s hard work and dedication in the rendition of The Diary of Anne Frank.