Major and Minor: Dance Major, Art History and Theatre Minor

History, struggle and adversity in the face of extreme prejudice are all witnessed and documented in the diary of a thirteen-year-old girl. Come to witness a retelling of a timeless and heartbreaking tale. Adapted by Wendy Kesselman, “The Diary of Anne Frank” runs October 18-21 at the Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgantown.

The very real accounts of Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank, a world-famous German-born diarist and World War II Holocaust victim are brought to life by the students of the West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance. She chronicled her experiences living in a secret annex in Amsterdam with her family and four other Jewish citizens trying to escape the Nazi regime. Her “Diary of a Young Girl” was published on June 25, 1947, two years after her death. Her father, Otto Frank, edited and released the version of the diary made famous today. Her diary was dramatized by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett in 1955 and then later adapted by Wendy Kesselman in 1997. Kesselman’s “The Diary of Anne Frank” paints a beautiful yet gut-wrenching account of eight human beings living under extreme circumstances. In this adaptation of the play the humanity of the characters shines through and reminds us all the power of hope.

From mainstage plays to large music ensemble concerts and art exhibitions to visiting artist lectures and student recitals, the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts’ 800-plus students and 100 faculty members present hundreds of events throughout the year. From September through April, the College will host The Curiosity Series, 25 events that are a chance for fans of one genre of music to listen to another or to attend a lecture on an arts topic that holds interest for them.

“We know that people are curious about the arts, but we also know that the arts can be intimidating so people typically stick to what they know,” said Keith Jackson, interim dean. “People know what to expect at a rock show – they may not know what to expect at a wind symphony concert or a visiting artist lecture, so they shy away from attending. We want our community members to have an open mind and try something they have been curious about.” 

The Dance program at West Virginia University held their inaugural study abroad class this summer with a 14-day trip to Guatemala.

Led by WVU Director of Dance Yoav Kaddar and dance faculty members General Hambrick and Matt Saffron, 10 students spent weeks rehearsing choreography and learning about Guatemala’s culture before embarking on the trip that took them to the country’s most prestigious dance studios and universities.