Welcome to UCLA Theatre!

During middle school, I read the Diary of Anne Frank and was stunned. I didn’t know how to express myself other than staying quiet at the time, perhaps it was because Anne and I were the same age when I read her story. Since then, I’ve always thought about World War ll. I’ve seen the movies, read the books, seen the propaganda posters and pondered about how surreal life must’ve been in those times. I too kept a journal of my daily life to see if I can be as clear as Anne and discovered I wanted to be a story-teller. When given the chance to direct a show in my undergrad, I knew which story I wanted to direct and it was the Diary of Anne Frank. Its connection to the Holocaust, her story and dreams, and World War ll stayed, and it’s going to stay with me for a long time, but since then I always find my way back to tell more stories of the era. 

Fast forward in graduate school, I first came across Bent last January and found myself laughing and crying. But I also found out about the pink triangle and its symbolism.

How could I have missed such an important piece of information from the Holocaust? I began to do my research, and as much as I read and saw videos there’s something else that this play demands and that was visiting a concentration camp.

When this story of Bent was approved, I flew myself into Poland, grabbed a taxi and went to Auschwitz and Birkenau, respectfully. I went into the heart of the concentration camps and stood in both camps for about eight hours. I couldn’t believe I was there, but I went and it’s a whole different feeling, mindset, and experience and that’s what I intend to share with you tonight.

Being in Poland changed my life, my perspective of the holocaust and my loved ones and I hope the story of Max, the story of the pink triangles, the story of Bent changes your life in the humblest of ways.

I thank my Mom and Dad who I love so much, my family, and my friends who always support me.