While some Convent of the Sacred Heart students have been battling rival schools in sports or attacking their mountains of homework, ten Upper School actresses have spent their autumn afternoons in rehearsal. The thespian’s efforts, under the direction of Mrs. Nancy Maloy, Director of Upper School Theatrical Productions, will come to life November 22 and 23 when the curtain opens to reveal a student production of The Diary of Anne Frank. 
The drama depicts the thoughts of Anne, a Jewish teenager living in German-occupied Holland during the 1940s.  When the prospect of being sent to a concentration camp seems imminent for Anne’s sister, Anne and her family resort to hiding in her father’s secret annex. They share the space with Mr. van Daan, a business associate of Anne’s father, as well as his wife, Mrs. van Daan, and his son, Peter.
“I chose this play for a number of reasons,” Mrs. Maloy said. “First, I believe it is a story that needs to be told and and told and told again. I love that its central character is a young girl who is strong, insightful, full of life and wise beyond her years, who shares with us her insecurities and struggles to understand what it is to be fully human.”
The rehearsal schedule originally consisted of practice from 3:40 pm to 6:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 12:30 pm  to 3 pm on Saturdays. As the show quickly approaches, weekday rehearsals will often continue until at least 7:00 pm, requiring the actresses to eat dinner on campus.
The cast of ten girls ranges from freshmen to seniors. Junior Miranda Falk, previously Ms. Lottie Maloy in 2012’s production of The Murder Room, will be taking the stage as the lead role, Anne. 

“Anne is a great character because she has so many diverse and energetic actions,” Miranda said. “The entire play is  actually very lively, and depends on the cast as a whole, which is really fun.”
The play will also be accompanied by multi-media enhancements, such as an introductory video displaying the background of the time period, as well as original music to be sung in Hebrew. In addition, a new set and lighting designer, Mr. Elijah Schreiner, has joined the crew and is working with Ms. Maloy to make the play as realistic as possible.
“I am particularly excited to have found an amazing new set and lighting designer who is working with me to create the most authentic version we can of this story,” Ms. Maloy said. “It is important that we stay as true to life as we can in everything from the sounds of the Westertoren to Anne’s wallpaper and film stars.”
The cast is eager to show off their talents after weeks of preparation.
“It’s all very exciting,” Miranda said. “Although it has a sad setting, there are still plenty of upbeat and funny moments. I think it will definitely be a memorable show.”
-Gabrielle Giacomo, Photo and Layout Editor