After last semester’s success through the modern musical production of Footloose, Bearden’s theater department is taking a more historical angle for this semester’s Letters To Sala.

Mr. Glen Ellington announced his cast this week, and he has double-cast all but two roles in the play.

Based on Ann Kirschner’s novel, Sala’s Gift: My Mother’s Holocaust Story, the play tells the story of young Sala Garncarz Kirschner, played by Caroline Cornett and Delaney Sears, and her family’s experience in a Nazi labor camp from 1940-1944. Kirschner and her family were taken to Geppersdorf where they interacted with inhabitants of other camps through letters without Nazi permission.

Kirschner and one of her sisters were the only survivors of the family. Sala Kirschner moved to Prague where she met and married Sidney Kirschner, played by Parker Jones. The two later moved to New York and started a family.

Years later, Kirschner, played by Brittany Reuss and Lorenjae Pryor, revealed a box of letters to her daughter Ann, played by Hannah Craig and Kylen Bailey. After extensive research, Ann Kirschner uncovered the mystery behind these letters.

“The goal for this semester’s production is that the students make a connection with the time period and present real people rather than characters,” Mr. Ellington said.

One unique aspect of this production includes the interaction between the audience and the cast. Unlike productions done in the past, the entire show will not take place on the stage.

According to Ellington, Sala Kirschner’s character will move throughout the auditorium hiding the letters she received from Nazi soldiers.

This strategy will give the audience a realistic glimpse of the events that took place in the labor camps. Students are stepping up to the challenge of this acting style and are looking forward to getting involved in such a deep story.

“I’m excited for people to see the show, but moreover, I’m excited to see the impact it has on the audience,” said Bearden junior Brian Nachtrab, who will join senior Dalton Kizer in playing Harry Haubenstock.

“This show follows one of the darkest times in human history, so it obviously contains some rather shocking parts that will definitely move the audience.”

Letters to Sala is a true story that will provide an entertaining story and a history lesson to everyone involved.

“It’s really intense, sure, but it’s a real story that I am so happy to be a part of to share,” said Bearden junior Mallari Starret, who will join Morgan Johnson in playing Sala’s mother Chana.

Performances will be Sat., April 25 and Sun., April 26 at 2:30 and 7:30, Mon., April 27 and Tues., April 28 at 7:30. Tickets will be on sale for $8.