Knight Foundation Funds Holocaust Theater Archive

National Jewish Theater Foundation President and Producing Artistic Director Arnold Mittelman has announced the organization will host an invitation-only conference in 2012 to help advance its Holocaust Theater Archive and web site.

The Foundation has received a $60,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation which, in part, will support the international conference that will be held in South Florida. Participants will be selected from Holocaust leaders in the field, scholars, educators, artists, funders and survivors. The conference will also include the involvement of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute and worldwide museums, memorials and theaters.

"This conference will be a major, concrete step toward the establishment of the world's first comprehensive research- and production-oriented archive and digital web site dedicated to the Holocaust," said Mittelman.

The initiative will research, catalog and encourage production of theater and related activity that immediately preceded the Holocaust, took place during World War II or has been created since 1945 in remembrance. Music, dance, visual art/design when associated with productions will be included and notated as will video and films that are directly related to the theatrical works.

In addition to the planned conference, discussions are taking place with major Jewish studies and Holocaust related institutions to house the physical portions of the archive, develop curricula and present touring exhibitions and theatrical productions of archive materials.

President of the Association of Holocaust Organizations William Shulman has said, "The Holocaust Theater Archive is an important, indeed necessary, addition to the resources available to educators and scholars of the Holocaust and to the theater community. There is no other comprehensive archive devoted to this subject in existence."

Shulman is a member of the archive's advisory board which will also be involved in planning the conference and which also includes the renowned Holocaust scholar Dr. Michael Berenbaum; legendary actor Theodore Bikel; Dr. Haim Shaked, Director of the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies, University of Miami; and prominent holocaust theater historian Dr. Al Goldfarb.

The Holocaust Theater Archive will feature a central archival web site with links to other related resources where artists, students, scholars and the public can read and view theatrical production and related history.

"To honor the victims and their families and to serve society, the Holocaust Theater Archive will continue the task at hand to document, educate and inspire the creation and performance of relevant theater works to be made available to the widest possible population," said Mittelman.

National Jewish Theater's current projects include an upcoming New York production of Rocket City Alabam' by Mark Saltzman that examines the aftereffects of the Holocaust in the American south and mounting the world premiere of the English translation of the acclaimed Holocaust play Toujours l'orage (Storms Still) by noted contemporary French playwright Enzo Cormann. For more information visit www.nationaljewishtheater.com.

With a nationally recognized career of artistic and educational achievement, Mittelman has created almost 300 diverse productions of plays, musicals and special events including productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, London and on national tours. He helped found and/or lead five major not-for-profit theaters including the acclaimed New York Free Theater, The Whole Theater Company and The Coconut Grove Playhouse. Holding a M.F.A. from the N.Y.U. School of Arts, Mittelman has been on the graduate faculty of Rutgers University under a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit KnightFoundation.org.

For more information about the Holocaust Theater Archive visit holocausttheaterarchive.org or read monthly updates at the blog KnightArts.org.

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