The Adams State University Theatre program is proud to present In Her Own Words: Holocaust Survivor Barbara Steinmetz at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 in the SLV Federal Bank Main Stage Theatre, located in the Adams State Theatre Building. This free event is presented as part of Of Words and Walls: The Anne Frank Theatre Project at Adams State. The event open to the public.
Steinmetz is considered a "child survivor" of the Holocaust and the last living member of her family to tell their story. She was born in Hungary at a critical point in world history as the winds of war threatened Europe and the world. As anti-Jewish hatred and bigotry enveloped Germany and the countries it overran, her father began an exhaustive effort to find safe haven for his family.
Steinmetz’s incredible story takes her family across the European continent as they try to stay one step ahead of the Nazi regime. After being denied entry into many countries, they end up along with other Jewish refugees in the Dominican Republic where they try to establish a new life as the war played out across the world. After the conflict, her family came to the United States where they faced the challenges of an immigrant family in post WWII America where no one wanted to know their history.
"I am honored that Barbara is willing to share her story with us," said John Taylor, professor of Theatre. "Her father, like Anne Frank’s father, knew that his family was not safe in Europe. Each man tried valiantly to protect his family from Nazi persecution. While the Franks went into hiding in Amsterdam, Barbara’s family undergoes a perilous journey that eventually takes them to the United States. As we remember and honor the past, I believe her story has real significance for us today as we talk about issues of immigration and citizenship."
Of Words and Walls observes the 70th anniversary of the publication of Anne Frank’s diary with a call to remember the past so that we can engage in a dialogue about the present and future.
Through studying our history, sharing our stories, and creating our art, we seek to celebrate the diversity that defines us and reject the artificial divisions which separate us. In doing so, we ask a very basic question: what is our responsibility to one another?
For more information about this event or the Of Words and Walls Project, please call 719-587-7382. This project is made possible through the generous support of Leslie and Maury Lieberman.
Tickets are still available for the Adams State Theatre Production, The Diary of Anne Frank. Dates for the play include 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23, 29, 30 and 2 p.m. Oct. 1. The theatre box office number is 719-587-8499.
