Mundelein students take on Holocaust
“First they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t Jewish. Then they came for the Communists and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
These words are attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller in 1946. They serve as the inspiration for the title of the Holocaust drama “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank,” by James Still, which will be presented by Mundelein High School.
The play has been described as a unique theatrical experience, a multimedia play that combines videotaped interviews with Holocaust survivors Ed Silverberg and Eva Schloss with live actors recreating scenes from their lives during World War II.
Ed was Anne Frank’s first boyfriend, and she wrote about him in the beginning of her now-famous diary. Eva Schloss was the same age as Anne Frank and lived in the same apartment building in Amsterdam. Her family went into hiding the same day as the Frank family and, like the Frank family, they were betrayed.
On Eva’s 15th birthday, her family was arrested by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps.
“This production has been one of the most unique experiences I have had in my teaching and directing career,” said Jonathan Meier, the play’s director.
“To begin with, working on a piece that has so much technology has been a challenge. The actors have to coordinate with the video footage and, at times, interact with the images of Ed and Eva on the screen. Most importantly, there is the subject matter itself. We have all been drawn very close together as we have studied this important subject and worked to bring it to life on the stage,” he said.
As part of the preparation for the show, the cast and crew of “And Then They Came for Me” toured the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie in mid-December.
“That was a very important day,” said senior Lisa Capasso, who portrays Young Eva. “We all had different levels of knowledge when it came to the Holocaust, but being together in the museum and hearing the stories as a group really brought us together.”
Senior John Piontowski, who plays Young Ed, agreed.
“There were many moving exhibits in the museum, but I think what affected me most was standing silently after being crammed with my castmates into a cattle car that was used to transport prisoners to Auschwitz.”
During their museum visit, the group arranged to bring Holocaust survivor Joseph Koek to MHS. He spoke and answered questions about his experience as one of the “hidden children” during the war.
“It was such an honor to meet Mr. Koek,” said junior Kailey Martin, who plays Anne Frank. “He was very open about his experience and was glad to answer all of our questions.”
In addition to Capasso, Piontowski and Martin, cast members include Liz Grein, Phil Ross, Haggai Simon, Jack Davenport, Gretchen Erickson, Eleni Psihogios, Zac Traughber, Connor Boike, Ben Fenton, Jessie Echeveria, Shannon Doering, Molly Whitaker, Evan Saunders, Walter Kasmer, Tim Trinka and Jordan Gonzalez.
Stage managers are Hayley Hoffmeyer and Haleigh Hamblin.
If you go
If you go
What: Mundelein High School presents And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank
When: 7 p.m. on Feb. 3-5
Where: Mundelein High School Auditorium, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein
Cost: Tickets are a recommended donation of $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the door on the evenings of the performances.