Colorado State University Students Perform Play About Family of Holocaust Survivors

The student-directed play, "No Way Out," which documents a family’s struggle to survive, will open March 3 as part of Holocaust Awareness Week at Colorado State University.

The opening night performance at 7 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Theatre will feature a discussion and reception with the playwright, Susan Shear. The production is free and open to the public; however, donations are welcome and will go to Students for Holocaust Awareness for future Holocaust Awareness Week programming.

"No Way Out" not only documents one family’s struggle to survive but gives insight into the stories of thousands. It is the unique yet universal story of one family’s love for each other told in their own words through letters written during the Holocaust. The play uses family photographs and projected images of Nazi laws and events of the times to provide historical context.

Rachel Singer, committee chairwoman for "No Way Out," said the play helps people understand on a more personal level what happened during the Holocaust.

The play, created and produced by Susan Shear, is the gentle, true story of the author’s own German Jewish family, geographically torn apart, whose only means of communication is through letters. It is a story of family love and devotion, humanity and dignity that the Nazis could not destroy.

Shear met with the student cast and crew during rehearsals to provide them with the unique opportunity to ask the playwright what her intentions and visions were for her play. Shear has been delighted with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the students.

The child of Holocaust survivors and a former teacher and school counselor, Shear educates teachers and students about the Holocaust. She serves as education specialist for the Holocaust Awareness Institute at the University of Denver, works with Regis University and presents workshops and trainings both regionally and nationally.

"No Way Out" also will be performed at 7 p.m. March 5 and March 6 and at 2 p.m. March 7 in the Blackbox Theatre in Johnson Hall

Holocaust Awareness Week events are free and open to the public. Events are funded by the Associated Students of Colorado State University, Hillel of Colorado, Residence Life, ASAP/CinemaCSU and the Lory Student Center Diversity grant.

For more information, contact Hillel at Colorado State at (970) 491-2080 or refer to the calendar on the Hillel Web Site at http://csu.hillelcolorado.org.

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