Playwright Claudia Haas has written the poignant and beautiful Dear Anne, From Nina based on the pen pal exchange between the Frank sisters and two American sisters in Iowa. Stage Partners Education Director Maria McConville chatted with Claudia to find out how she encountered this story, what inspired her to bring it to the stage, and how she hopes the play will inspire young people to stand up to injustice.

MARIA MCCONVILLE: I was fascinated to find out that Anne Frank had, for a brief moment in time, an American pen pal! How did you come across this story? Were you asked to write the Play or did you ask to write the play?

CLAUDIA HAAS: I saw an article in the BBC about the brief penpal exchange. It sent me on a research mission through google to learn more. When I discovered there was a museum dedicated to the small but important exchange of letters in Danville, Iowa, I knew I needed to pay them a visit. Danville is only about a day’s drive from my home in Minnesota, so it was all just luck that I was able to explore in-person. I had recently come home from a trip to Amsterdam where I visited the Anne Frank House. Seeing the cramped hiding space versus the openness of the farm in Iowa was very poignant. I

With this new adaptation comes new lesson plans! Peter Royston’s 3 Lesson Plans were created specifically for his adaptation of A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle. These lessons will round out an ensemble’s experience rehearsing this play or help students get solid grasp of the script when analyzing in class. And best of all, they’re absolutely free to download and use.

I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Peter Royston not only as an actor for his virtual reading of

Theater teacher and playwright Nina Mansfield talks about her virtual adaptation of an ancient classic, ANTIGONE: 3021, with Stage Partners Education Director Maria McConville. Find out how Mansfield adjusted her Fall Play to a virtual setting and what she thinks about this new way of creating theater.

Whether it’s middle school theater class or the high school play, practicing theater in school helps guide us through all of the ups and downs that life brings us. The year 2020 has forced so many of our young people to grow-up quickly. Our relationship with time has certainly been altered. Since March 2020, there were points the months seemed like years, or was that just me? The major events the world has experienced has had many focus in on what is important; family, love, and what we do with our time. So many of us had to experience the loss of those we hold dear in a way that is not easily explained.