1. The Diary of Anne Frank
Background of the Play

2. Anne Frank and her family were Jewish citizens of Germany
When the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, came to power in 1933, the Nazis blamed the country’s problems on the Jews.
Anti-Semitism: prejudice against Jews
Jews were stripped of their rights, and many were eventually sent to concentration camps.

3. Anne and her family left Germany for the Netherlands to escape persecution.
The Nazis invaded the Netherlands in 1940, and Anne and her family no longer felt safe.
In order to survive, Anne’s family went into hiding when she was only 13 years old.

4. Anne’s family hid in an attic above her father’s business offices; the attic is known as the “secret annex.”
Several other Jews joined them in the attic, where they lived in cramped quarters for more than two years.
The group’s worst fears came true when Nazis found them in the annex. They were arrested and taken to concentration camps.

5. Anne died in a concentration camp when she was only 15 years old.
The only survivor from the secret annex was Anne’s father, Otto Frank
After the war, he found Anne’s diary in the annex and had it published. Her diary has profoundly touched millions of people because of Anne’s belief that, in spite of what happened to her, people are basically good at heart.

6. Anne Frank Video

7. Reading a drama
The Diary of Anne Frank is a play, which means it was written to be performed
When reading a play (rather than watching one), you must pay close attention to not only the dialogue, but the stage directions as well
Stage directions are directions for the cast and crew, and they tell us about the setting, the lighting, and the characters’ movements.