Holocaust Drama Ballet Coming to WMS

An award-winning original drama ballet involving the Holocaust is making the rounds in Southern New Hampshire right now, and will find its way to the stage at Windham Middle School in May.

"A Child's View of the Holocaust," which was choreographed in 1990 by New England Dance Ensemble (NEDE) Artistic Director Barbara Mullent, will be performed in town on May 16. 

The show will take place at 8 a.m. and will give the audience a look at the atrocities that took occured towards the Jewish people by the Nazi party in Germany between 1939 and 1945.

A release from NEDE offered a description for the show:

Nothing can erase the tragedy of a systematic attempt to exterminate a race, but showing respect for the survivors and regard for the human spirit imparts valuable lessons. Holocaust survivor Paul Oppenheimer believes memories of Auschwitz and the Holocaust belong in the schools, noting "It should not be taught as a history lesson but as a lesson in history, it should never happen again." While illuminating historical events, the production may also be applied to contemporary issues including bullying and prejudice.

The production received the Charles A. Hildebrandt award in 2011 from the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College.

The award is given in recognition of "excellence in Holocaust Studies" according to a release from NEDE.

The show is currently in Londonderry, where a public performance took place on April 16 at Londonderry Dance Academy and another show is taking place on April 19 at Londonderry Middle School.

It has been performed for thousands around the region in locations such as Concord Auditorium, Palace Theatre, Rivier College, The University of New Hampshire and Pinkerton Academy.

The NEDE performs the show annually during the spring months, and often visits not only schools and universities but also Jewish community centers.

Mullen has been busy in Windham in recent months. Just after Thanksgiving, NEDE put on productions of "The Nutcracker." 

For those shows, Mullen displayed her clout in the artistic community and was able to lasso some professional dancers from American Ballet Theatre, a prestigious company based out of New York City.

For more information on the WMS performance, contact Michelle McCorkle at mmcorkle@windhamsd.org.  

Click here for more information on New England Dance Ensemble