THE FIRST PRODUCTION AND RESEARCH-ORIENTED HOLOCAUST-RELATED THEATER ARCHIVE
Published 2010-05-26
The National Jewish Theater Foundation/National Jewish Theater (NJT) to embark on the creation of the first production and research-oriented Holocaust-related Theater Archive
www.holocausttheaterarchive.org
The National Jewish Theater Foundation/National
Jewish Theater (NJT) under the leadership of its President and Producing
Artistic Director, Arnold Mittelman,
has embarked on the creation of the first production and research-oriented, Holocaust-related Theater Archive
(HTA). This vitally needed initiative was suggested by Dr. Haim Shaked, Director of the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for
Contemporary Judaic Studies at the University of Miami and has as its advisors
Dr. Shaked, the renowned Holocaust scholar Dr. Michael Berenbaum and the legendary actor Theodore Bikel. All three are
members of the NJT Advisory Board.
The goal of the archive is to first chronicle
relevant theater and theater-related activity that immediately preceded the
Holocaust, took place during World War II and/or has been created since 1945.
This Holocaust Theater Archive will classify and categorize the authors,
creative artists, plays and productions that have been written, produced and/or
recorded on the subject. These plays and productions will include drama,
musicals, cabaret and revues that record, represent or refer to the
Holocaust. Music and dance, when part of a relevant theatrical
production, will also be included as will published reviews when available of
all of the foregoing.
“Perhaps more than any other art form, theater has the power to create identification and remembrance as it depicts human behavior through theatrical storytelling,” said NJT President and Producing Artistic Director Arnold Mittelman. “Imagine Holocaust education and awareness without the plays The Diary of Anne Frank or The Deputy or, for that matter, the musical Cabaret. While there are many historians, museums, libraries, catalogues and websites that record elements of this subject, at this time none is comprehensive or seeks to produce the extant material.”
To merely archive this information, no matter how
completely, would inadequately serve the victims and their families. A theater
archive must not only record to remember and for research, but it must inspire
and help create future productions of relevant works of theater. It must give
access to the scripts and production information needed for others to mount
their own events. It must place the archival material in a context that
confirms its validity and it must record, broadcast and digitally disseminate
the productions in script, audio and video formats for future generations. A
concerted effort, utilizing various academic and artistic disciplines will be
required to research, evaluate, catalogue, archive and produce the material.
The NJT
and The Sue and Leonard Miller Center
for Contemporary Judaic Studies at the University of Miami are presently exploring possibilities for
close collaboration on launching and later developing and maintaining the
archive.
The NJT is also seeking relevant organizations,
universities, artistic institutions and individual donors whose combined
talents and resources will support this important project. The NJT/HTA will
need a resource center or centers where students, scholars and the public can
read and study the physical evidence. In this digital age, the NJT/HTA will
also need the technical help required to create a master website with
informational links to other worldwide resources. An international consortium
of theater companies will be set up to promote revivals, new interpretations
and commission productions commemorating the Holocaust.
The NJT comprehensive Holocaust-related theater
archive with its strategic alliances will strive to inspire studies,
exhibitions, curricula, conferences and productions to illuminate the atrocity
of the Holocaust, ensuring that the material is retained, maintained,
disseminated and made available for future scholars, artists and audiences of
all ages.
To signal interest or participate in this
remarkable venture, please visit: www.holocausttheaterarchive.org
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