Holocaust Impact Theater

Description

Some say, “Why should children learn about an event that happened 75 years ago? Move on.”
As a society, we must indeed move on, but not forget. To study the Holocaust is to come face to face with
the ultimate hate crime in modern history. Holocaust education encourages an examination of inhumane cruelty committed with the sole purpose of annihilating innocent people. This analysis can act as a
bridge between the past and the present, in which bigotry and intolerance continues to affect our society and must be faced. Through Holocaust Impact Theater (HIT), adolescents can learn that indifference to the suffering of others and the infringement of civil rights in any society portend dire consequences.
Holocaust Impact Theater makes complex and difficult subjects meaningful and relevant for teens.
Through this unique program, students aged 15 - 18 are engaged in the entire creative process of
developing a play that relates to various aspects of the Holocaust and the environment that caused this
dark human event. The students, who represent many religions and ethnic groups, will create a story
line, write a script, produce, direct, perform in and publicize their work. HIT plays examine current social
injustices like bullying, stereotyping and intolerance, while encouraging acceptance and understanding.
In this 10-month effort, students bond together, learn about the inner workings of theater art and benefit
from having a creative outlet through which their ideas and feelings can be communicated through
dramatic interpretation. Cast, crew and audience will gain knowledge and awareness and teens will
realize that their generation can make an impact.