The Academy of The Company Theatre Teen Conservatory to Present Regional Premiere of THE HIDING PLACE

The Academy of The Company Theatre (ACT) Teen Conservatory presents the East Coast premiere of The Hiding Place: The Story of Corrie ten Boom, on May 10 and 11, 7:30 p.m. at The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell, MA. The play, written by George Christison, is adapted from the book by Hingham residents John and Elizabeth Sherrill. This production is directed by Corinne Mason and Steve Dooner, and produced by The Company Theatre's co-artistic director Zoe Bradford.

The Hiding Place is an inspiring true story of Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom, a spiritually rich, steadfast woman surviving Nazi-invaded Holland during WWII. Together with her family, Corrie joins the underground resistance to help save Jewish families. When they are arrested and imprisoned in concentration camps themselves, they survive sustained by their faith, through experiences of profound horror. The Hiding Place is a play aglow with the glory of God and the courage of a quiet Christian spinster whose life was transformed by it - with joy and triumph! Difficult themes may not be appropriate for young children.

Zoe Bradford envisioned producing The Hiding Place at The Company Theatre, and directly involved local book authors John and Elizabeth Sherrill. The stage play, adapted from their popular book written in 1974, recollects the ten Boom family's story back to 1937, during the first stages of the Nazi invasion. The Sherrills spent lengthy visits in Holland with Corrie herself, recounting her story in a very personal way, by transcribing their conversations about her life.

The ACT cast were privileged to an up-close and personal question and answer session with the Sherills in person, intensifying their dramatic experience and attachment to the plot. They students were also able to view several of Corrie's personal belongings left to the Sherrills. Among the artifacts they shared was a Star of David, worn by a Holocaust survivor whom Corrie had hidden in her father's clock shop. A captivating new video chronicling the Sherrills' journey, and their visit to the ACT cast, will be shown post-performance to encourage topic discussion from the play and book.

ACT was founded in 1987 by Zoe Bradford, Michael Joseph and Jordie Saucerman, with a mission to discover the creative spirit in each student in an enjoyable and challenging atmosphere and to build self-confidence through the experience of the arts. These three partners collectively decided to make The Hiding Place a student production, realizing the powerful effect the story could have on young actors and audience, who will take away valuable life lessons from their experience.

Tickets for The Hiding Place are $15.00. A daytime student performance is scheduled on Saturday, May 4 at 11:30 am, also open to the public. For a complete performance schedule, to order tickets, or for more information, call the box office at 781-871-2787, emailboxoffice@companytheatre.com, or visit www.companytheatre.com . The box office is open Monday to Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, and during all performances. Free parking is available on site, and the theatre is handicap accessible. For the latest information on programs and performances, visit www.companytheatre.com, or follow The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts on Facebook.