Virtual Production Amazes Professional Actors

CAST’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank aired on November 23.

Creating a theatrical performance is never easy, but creating a virtual theatrical performance is exceptionally challenging. CAST's first virtual theatrical experience was The Diary of Anne Frank, presented on November 23. Under the direction of Keith Eric Davis, ten middle school students worked remotely for seven weeks to create a heart rendering version of this very important play.

Keith has been friends with the New York actress and former CAST Associate Artists Erin Noel Grennan and her husband Paul Slade Smith for many years, and he invited them to watch our presentation. Imagine our happiness and pride when Erin shared her thoughts with us:

"CAST kids will never not amaze me. Honestly, this is one of my favorite things I've seen from the program. You kind of did the impossible. Paul and I both were a bit jaw dropped. You proved my theory wrong. Theatre CAN happen without the physical stage. And it's effective and intriguing and can hurt your heart and make you smile."

So, kudos to all involved with CAST's version of The Diary of Anne Frank. We are very proud of all of you!

Erin Noel Grennan grew up in Oak Park and has worked in theatre her entire life. Her family has a strong arts connection. Her father, Ed Grennan, was an actor; her brother, Sean Grennan, is a successful playwright and actor; and her husband, Paul Slade Smith, is a playwright and professional actor as well. Erin and Paul worked for CAST as Associate Artists in Ah, Wilderness and Erin was also the director for several CAST plays, including The Pirates of Penzance, The Real Inspector Hound and A Midsummer Night's Dream.