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Directing The Diary of Anne Frank
Directing The Diary of Anne Frank
In the Fall of 2023, Buckeye Union High School produced The Diary of Anne Frank by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, adapted by Wendy Kesselman.
The following is an exploration of the process and the product.
The Director's Plan
The Director's Plan
When we chose to perform this play, it was part of a district-wide initiative to tell stories from World War Two and the Holocaust. Once we started rehearsal, we discovered it was going to be so much more.
Click here to see the Director's Plan.
Play Analysis
Play Analysis
The Given Circumstances of this play are dictated by actual events.
Exploring the World of the Play gave the team a common understanding of the vision of the show and the path we were planning on following.
Having an intimate understanding of the structure of the play provided invaluable in our process. This French Scene Breakdown was one tool we could use.
The Director Breakdown created time to think carefully and intentionally about the work that was ahead of us.
With a script that is as cinematic and well structured as this one, it was imperative to understand the flow of moments and events. The Moment Chain is a useful resource to understand the pace and rhythm of the show.
The set in this show is a character unto itself. A Playing Space Analysis helped facilitate conversations between the Scenic Designer and the Director.
It was critical that the audience leave this production having been impacted by what they witnessed. Understanding the Idea/Theme of the work allowed us to share this give with our patrons.
As with all shows, the Characters of this story are central to our relationship with the work.
At first glance, the Relationship Web for this show should be pretty basic. But, with more exploration, we begin to understand the nuances of human interactions.
The Scene Score allowed for a map to begin our work each day in rehearsal.
The aforementioned cinematic nature of the script necessitates a thoughtful approach to the Freytag Breakdown.
Because this a play told from the perspective of Anne, the Dialogue Analysis revealed some interesting insights into the way language impacts the character's understanding of themselves and each other.
The Rate and Rhythm of a show is it's heartbeat. This show definitely has a heartbeat that is worth experiencing.
Dramaturgical Work
Dramaturgical Work
We were incredibly fortunate to have an abundance of riches when it came to our dramaturgical resources. We had a Student Dramaturg who was with us in rehearsal (also understudying Anne) and wrote a wonderful Dramaturgical Statement for our program. She also created a packet of research that she had done on each character for our actors to use. Additionally, she collaborated with a History Teacher on our campus who presented to the cast and crew on the first day of rehearsal.
We were also fortunate to be able to hear from a Second Generation Holocaust Survivor (pictured above) as well as a Fellow from the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC.
Documentation of the Directing Process
Documentation of the Directing Process
While there is never enough time to rehearse a show, a good Rehearsal Schedule can act as a north star.
Our student Scenic Designer created a Ground Plan that was the starting point of all our design conversations.
We have been working with a Technical Director at Steppenwolf Theatre who creates build drawings for us. It provides the chance for students to interface with a working professional as well as see what type of documentation they will be working with in the industry.
It also gives the Student Scenic Designer the chance to compare their work to a professional.
Scenery Renderings
Scenery Renderings
We struggled to create renderings, relying instead on a white (or, in this case, black) model. Because the Scenic Designer (a Senior) and I have worked together for four years, the visual vocabulary was shorthand based on past shows. It was more important for us to think about the scale of things and how it fit and functioned on stage.
We have been fortunate to operate with a respectable budget for the past few years. Here is how we approached this show.
Once I had completed my Costume Plot my student Costume Designer had not only created her own, but she had pulled the costumes and was ready to go. She's going somewhere!
From the moment I read the script, the Light Plot started coming together in my mind.
Having produced this show previously, I was comfortable knowing that we would have all the props we needed. The Prop Plot proved that was an optimistic belief.
Sound Plot
Sound Plot
Creating a vibrant soundscape for this show was important for telling the story. The use of the Sound Plot aided in that.
Stage Management
Stage Management
Our Student Stage Manager is exemplary. It is SO wonderful to have a Stage Manager as competent, organized and committed as this one.
Promotions
Promotions
We rely heavily on printed posters and Instagram/Facebook posts to promote our shows. The image above was used all over campus, on our social media, and we printed 1/4 sheets for students to hand out around town. A few local businesses even offered to display our large format posters (same image as above).
Our Student Public Relations Chair also crafted a beautiful digital program for our audiences.
Production Photos
Production Photos
I couldn't be more proud of the work this group of students did. These Production Photos capture the passion, heart, and earnest effort they put into creating this gift for our audiences.
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