And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frankour Show Name

And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank

at Morris Theatre Guild


Director: Matthew Johnson	Written by: James Still	Assist Director: Laurie Pross

Starring

Jennifer Meiners John Marsaglia	Karsen Gromm Colin Rasmussen	Miranda Uvias Ellen Rasmussen

And Then They Came for Me is a unique theatrical experience: a multimedia play that combines videotaped interviews with Holocaust survivors Ed Silverberg and Eva Schloss with live actors recreating scenes from their lives during World War II. Ed was Anne Frank's first boyfriend, and she wrote about him in the beginning of her now-famous diary. Eva Schloss was the same age as Anne Frank and lived in the same apartment building in Amsterdam. Her family went into hiding the same day as the Frank family. And like the Frank family, they were betrayed. On Eva's 15th birthday, her family was arrested by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps. Eva and her mother survived, and after the war her mother married Otto Frank (Anne's father).

Photo of the author James Still’s plays have been produced throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South Africa, China and Japan. His plays have been nominated four times for the Pulitzer Prize. Still’s work includes a trilogy of linked plays: The House That Jack Built (Indiana Repertory Theatre), Appoggiatura (Denver Center Theatre) and Miranda (Illusion Theater, Minneapolis); April 4, 1968: Before We Forgot How to Dream (Indiana Repertory Theatre); two plays about the Lincolns: The Widow Lincoln and The Heavens Are Hung in Black (both premiered at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.); a play for one actor about culinary icon James Beard called I Love to Eat (Portland Center Stage); a play for 57 actors called A Long Bridge Over Deep Waters (Cornerstone Theater Company); Looking Over the President’s Shoulder at theatres across the country; and And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank at theatres around the world. His short play When Miss Lydia Hinkley Gives a Bird the Bird was a winner of Red Bull Theater’s Short New Play Festival. Still is an elected member of both the National Theatre Conference in New York City and the College of Fellows of the American Theatre at the Kennedy Center. He received the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award from the William Inge Theatre Festival and the Todd McNerney National Playwriting Prize from the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and has been nominated for five Emmys. He is the playwright in residence at Indiana Repertory Theatre and artistic affiliate at American Blues Theater in Chicago. He lives in Los Angeles.

Cast

Jennifer Meiners

Ed's Mother/Young Eva

Karsen Gromm

Young Ed/Pappy

John Marsaglia

Ed's Father

Miranda Uvias

Anne Frank

Ellen Rasmussen

Mutti

Colin Rasmussen

Heinz

Creative Team

Matthew Johnson

Director

Laurie Pross

Assist Director

Christine Johnson

Stage Manager

Brian Pross

Technical Director

Cheryl Crisman

Box Office

Auditions

On Clover Road: April 27, 2025

Show Dates: 7/18/2025 – 7/27/2025

CAST REQUIREMENTS: (2 Males, 3 Females)

Synopsis

At an abandoned motel on a desolate American road, a mother meets with a cult deprogrammer, believing she will be reunited with her runaway daughter. What happens instead – in this smart, harrowing, edge-of-your-seat thriller – is something that will shock her to her core. What will a mother do to get her daughter back? Whatever it takes.

Kate Hunter: female, late 30’s to 45. Mother. Vulnerable, desperate, a difficult past, and under a few layers of skin the aggressive demeanor of a junk yard dog.

Stine: male, late 40’s to mid 50’s. Shrewd, dark humor, tough as nails.

Harris McLain: male, late 30’s to late 40’s. Cult leader. An equal dose of sincere charismatic charm and creepy menace. Magnetic presence.

Jessie: female, 17 to 21. Otherworldly. A quality of being emotionally disturbed concealed under an eerie calmness.

Angelia: female, 17 to 21. Street smart savvy imbued with a quality of ingenuousness.

Meet the Company

Jennifer Meiners

Ed's Mother/Young Eva

Jennifer has earned an associate's degree in acting from Joliet Junior College and a bachelor's degree from Columbia College Chicago with a major in acting and a minor in fiction writing. She has been featured in many plays at JJC including The Rimers of Eldritch, The Vagina Monologues, Beyond Therapy, Desdemona, and Talking With. In addition, Jennifer has lived in Las Vegas, NV and performed in several films with Dark Water Productions including Atelophobia, Afflict, and The Killer Monroes. Her most recent production was Seeing Stars in Dixie at the Morris Theater Guild. In her spare time Jennifer enjoys writing stories, reading, watching movies, and crocheting. Jennifer would like to thank her professors for everything they taught her and her family and friends for their love and unending support. Hope you enjoy the show!

Karsen Gromm

Young Ed/Pappy

Karsen is proud to make his Morris Theater Guild debut in And Then They Came for Me. He was recently seen as Crutchie in Newsies (Engle Lane), Ziggy in Young Frankenstein (Engle Lane), and as a featured dancer in the ensemble of Tarzan (Stage 212). He will appear as a featured dancer in Engle Lane’s upcoming production of The Wedding Singer. When not at the theater, Karsen works as a graphic designer and social media manager at Illinois Valley Community College.

John Marsaglia

Ed's Father

John is thrilled to be back with the Morris Theater Guild for his second show this winter. He was last seen (and heard) as the sound effects artist in the December production of It's a Wonderful Life. This time he’s trading in his wind chimes for a more grounded and earnest role as Ed’s Father. Originally from Coal City, John has spent the better part of the last decade in southern California where he earned his master’s degree from Chapman University’s prestigious film school. Since then, John has gone on to produce and direct various projects ranging from music videos for Grammy Award winning artists, short and feature films, and online branded content. In his spare time, John can be found watching as many movies as humanely possible as well as complaining about his favorite Chicago sports teams. Just ask him, he.’ll tell you all about it. John is especially thrilled to lend his past experiences as a performer and creator to this visually unique and rich theater-going experience. Enjoy!

Miranda Uvias

Anne Frank

Miranda is a sixth grade homeschool student who has recently taken interest in theater. "And Then They Came For Me" is the first play she has casted in. She likes to draw and write in her journal. She loves listening to music and playing the drums and keyboard. Miranda is the oldest out of four girls and loves being their boss at times. She enjoys playing softball in the spring. Her favorite thing to do in the summer besides hanging out with friends is swimming in her pool.

Ellen Rasmussen

Mutti

Ellen Rasmussen is no stranger to the Morris Theatre Guild, having been in her first show here, four years ago. In fact, her initial outing on the Morris stage was another rendition of Anne Frank's story. There is clearly something important about our humanity to be learned from Anne's life and untimely death in one of the most horrific places imaginable. And like that first - though certainly not only! - production from 2021, Ellen is especially pleased to share the stage with her youngest son, Colin, along with a wonderful cast and savvy directors and crew. "And Then They Came for Me" is the eighth show Ellen has been in since making stagecraft a regular part of her life, mostly at Morris, but also recently at the fledgling Plainfield playhouse as well. She is grateful for the consistent support of her loving husband and sons, as well as many family and friends.

Colin Rasmussen

Heinz

Colin Rasmussen is a young man who has worked with MTG multiple times now. You may recognize him from shows such as The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Big Five-Oh. He'd like to thank his family for supporting him through this show, as well as his lovely girlfriend. Colin is also grateful to MTG for giving him the opportunity to share some relevant history with folks, and hopefully giving people some food for thought.