Newark Drama Club Members Learn More Than Their Lines for Hiding in the Open đźŽ
The 40-member cast and crew of the Newark Drama Club production of Hiding in the Open is preparing for the compelling October 23rd and 24th production in more ways than just rehearsing for the show that’s a little more than a month in the making.
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Not surprising as the timely dramatic production tackles a very complex subject.
An adaptation of Sabina Zimering's memoir, Hiding in the Open unveils the true story of two Jewish sisters from Poland who assume false Catholic identities and work in a Nazi hotel during World War II. Living in constant fear of having their identities revealed, the sisters bravely face danger and the challenges of growing up while keeping their heritage a secret. Thrilling and heart-warming, this story of survival and teenage courage examines the bonds of family and human kindness in the face of great atrocities.
“I am very impressed by how seriously the cast and crew are approaching this process,” said Drama Club Advisor and Director Emily Howard, an English 11 teacher. “To ensure that we are representing the source material accurately and respectfully, I made the memoir Hiding in the Open available for the cast and crew to read.”
Additionally, on October 5th, some of the cast and crew members attended an hour-long PowerPoint and question and answer session presentation in the NHS auditorium about her grandmother, Susy Raful, a Holocaust survivor, made by Syracuse resident Leah Goldberg, a 3GNY volunteer.
3GNY is an educational non-profit organization founded by grandchildren of Holocaust survivors to preserve the legacies and the lessons of the Holocaust and educate diverse communities about the perils of intolerance and to provide a supportive forum for the descendants of survivors
Raful, who is deceased, was born in Budapest, Hungary and was in the RavensbrĂĽck concentration camp with her sister Mary in Germany. It was the largest concentration camp for women in the German Reich.
“Leah helped students better understand the personal experiences behind the history,” Howard said. “The rehearsal process for this show is about more than memorizing lines. It is an opportunity for students to connect with a true story and deepen their understanding of the people who lived through one of history's darkest periods.
“Throughout rehearsals, students have demonstrated a genuine commitment to honoring the experiences represented on stage. Stories are important, and we want to honor this one. By taking the time to learn the historical context and listen to firsthand family accounts, we are ensuring that the story remains at the forefront of this process.”
NHS senior Kyle Gravino and junior Genevieve Witter, who portray sisters Helka and Sabina in Hiding in the Open were moved by Goldberg’s presentation.
“I’m very thankful for her words about the Holocaust that will help us create the story,” Gravino said, noting, in particular these quotes by Goldberg’s grandmother Susy Raful that were included in the presentation.
“We are not going to become animals” and “The ugliest word in the English language is hate. Never use it.”
“I thought her grandmother’s story was very inspirational,” Witter said. “I think the parallels between her story and the play are interesting.”
Cast members include Alena Black, Raphael Botelho, Aaliyah Briggs, Colin Chamberlin, Madison Chamberlin, Sloane Colling, Reagan DeSain, Liam DeWaters, Anna Eckert, Kylie Gravino, Ava Herrington, KaylaJo Kaufman, Avery Kelly, Brayden Kleiboer, Peter Kuperus, Rylee Mayo, Cavan McNeil, Matiece Miller, Alyx Newark, Madison Orlopp,
Alexandria Pellegrini, Victoria Ridley, Kelsey Jorgensen-Sauve, Abigail Wells and Genevieve Witter.
Crew members: Brook Arnold, Madelyn Backus, Zoe Compton, Annaliz Garcia, Owen Gary, Beth Goodemote, Alexis Grass, Liam Ortiz, Alyvia Poole, Kloie Sergeant, Madelyn Stewart, Madilynn Uerz, Eliza Wheatley, Henry Wheatley and Rosemary Winkler.
Hiding in the Open will be presented in the NHS auditorium at 7 p.m. Oct. 23rd and 24th. Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and $7 for adults.