Make History Come Alive: Using Drama to Teach 8th Graders about the Holocaust with a Survivor Story

School:: North Naples Middle
Subject:: Language Arts
Teacher:: Kate Bringardner
Students Impacted:: 280
Grade:: 8
Date:: August 24, 2022

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Judi Palay - $1,800.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 290

Eighth grade students at North Naples Middle School deepened their knowledge about the Holocaust as they watched Remember: The Story of Abe Price. In preparation for the play, students learned about World War II. In many classes, students also researched other survivors. This play helped students understand the atrocities of the Holocaust in a way simply reading a textbook cannot. Additionally, Abe Price's son attended the two shows and spoke to our students about his father which was an invaluable lesson. Our students and teachers are so grateful they were able to experience this play from Gulfshore Playhouse and know it will leave a long-lasting impact on all of us. Thank you.

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Students will gain a greater understanding of what Abe Price, a Holocaust survivor, experienced as they watch a performance by the Gulfshore Playhouse at our school. This immersive activity will make history come alive as they witness actors sharing this important and inspirational story.

What will be done with my students

As the culminating activity for a Language Arts Holocaust Unit, all eighth grade students will be able to watch Remember: The Story of Abe Price when the Gulfshore Playhouse brings this immersive play to our school.

"Remember: The Story of Abe Price by Jeffrey Binder, a new original play based on a true story, is brought to you in association with The Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center. At just 16-years-old, Abraham Piasecki’s life is uprooted by the Nazi invasion of Poland. Remember brings to life the harrowing true story of a Holocaust survivor who escaped Nazi captivity five times. This captivating story of resilience brings us into one man’s memories and asks us to never forget " (Gulfshore Playhouse).

Abe Price, who lived in Naples before his death, escaped Nazi captivity five times. Actors will conduct a question and answer session after the play to strengthen understanding of the play's events and how a play is produced.

Mr. Price's story will deepen students' knowledge about the Holocaust, inspire students, and change how they understand World War II. Students are familiar with the horrific statistics of World War II; learning survivor stories reiterates that the victims were individuals who wanted to live happy, normal lives just like they do.

Benefits to my students

Students benefit from this in multiple ways. Watching a true story allows them to better understand the horrors of the Holocaust. Additionally, they gain the experience of watching a play by seeing elements of drama--monologues, asides, sets, dialogue-- in practice.

Our eighth graders last year were able to experience it, and the results were incredible. This is the type of activity have a long-lasting impact on all students and will be a memorable part of their education.

Budget Narrative

Ideally, students will experience this in a group of approximate 140 students, allowing them to have an informative and memorable discussion with the actors after the show. Therefore, we need two showings. Gulfshore Playhouse will bring the set to our school cafeteria for the performances.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Gulfshore Playhouse fee for show 1	$900.00
2	Gulfshore Playhouse fee for show 2	$900.00
	Total:	$1,800.00

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