Between 1939 and 1945, two Jewish women in Nazi-occupied Europe took on false Catholic identities and secured work in a Nazi hotel where they lived in constant fear of being discovered. Their thrilling story of intrigue, deception and survival, based on Sabina Zimering’s memoir, Hiding in the Open, will be performed Nov. 8-9 and 14-16 at a rather unusual venue: Glendale Community College.
“Glendale is not known for its Jewish population, so I (am) certainly concerned about its marketability,” says David Seitz, program and artistic director of GCC’s Theatre Arts and Film Department. But he hopes the community will show up “to see all the great professional, award-winning work our students have achieved.”
Seitz hopes the play will give audiences a window into the evil and brutality of that era. He insists he didn’t choose “Hiding in the Open” simply because of its Jewish theme. “I have always been drawn to stories about the Holocaust,” he admits, “but I see this as a universal story of survival and determination, of risk and humanity.”
While most of Seitz’s students have little knowledge about the Holocaust, Seitz says, “This play is based on a true story, so it is a way to expand their knowledge of what came before, how to relate to today’s world and how to prevent it from ever happening again … to anyone.”
Seitz’s background and professional achievements are impressive. He holds a National Board Certified Teacher certificate with a theater and humanities bachelor’s degree, a Master of Fine Arts degree in cinema-television production from the University of Southern California and a postbaccalaureate in secondary education from Ottawa University.
GCC theater students range from age 17 to 60 and come from all walks of life. Seitz seeks thought-provoking projects that can be presented in an entertaining way. “I want my students to be able to explore different theatrical styles and discover the influence that theater can have on a community,” he says.
Seitz grew up in Arizona, returned to the state 19 years ago and has been at GCC since 1998. He has also taught theater in the Cave Creek School District and Paradise Valley School District, and has owned and operated a private acting school, “Actors Academy,” in Scottsdale for several years. Raised in a Jewish household, Seitz remembers his early years: “It was difficult as a Jew in Arizona back in the day. We were like foreigners to the majority of the population when I was growing up.” With few synagogues around, Seitz’s family observed the holidays and hung out a lot at Chompies.
Seitz and his wife, Robin, a preschool teacher at the JCC, raise their children to observe Judaism and are long-time members of Temple Chai. Having one great Jewish teacher in the Theatre Arts and Film Department at GCC is quite an achievement. But this year, GCC brought on another impressively credentialed Jewish addition to the faculty, Layne Racowsky. Layne received her MFA in New York City working with artists such as Austin Pendleton, Ron Leibman, Christopher Shinn and Ellen Barkin. Originally from Arizona, Layne attended graduate school at the New School for Drama in New York and returned to Arizona in 2009. Prior to joining the faculty of GCC, Layne was the theater director and head of the performing arts department a Paramount Academy Charter School. She also ran the education department at Curtain Call, a division of Arizona Jewish Theatre Company (which has since closed). She also directed several AJTC main-stage productions as well as some of their Curtain Call and camp productions. Layne grew up in a Conservative Jewish family where she attended Sunday school and celebrated all the Jewish holidays. She continued to practice Judaism after becoming a bat mitzvah by going through confirmation and joining United Synagogue Youth. Her connection to David Seitz began in 2004 when the two met as co-directors of AJTC’s Curtain Call Camp. Seitz took over the camp when Layne moved back to New York for graduate school. Their long-time friendship and past work together make their current partnership productive and supportive.
“I think we worked so well together because we both had similar goals, yet came at it through different approaches,” Layne explains about their earlier teaching experience. “There is a mutual respect for the other person’s perspective and talent. We were a team, and I think that’s what we bring to GCC … I think we have a great partnership.”
While Layne’s current contract at GCC is OYO (one year only), she has ambitious plans to expand the program by bringing more contemporary and new works to GCC. “It’s important for students to learn the classics, but it is equally important for them to know what’s happening now.” Long term, Layne hopes to establish a New Play Development Program and help grow the directing program.
When asked about “Hiding in the Open,” Layne says, “The play works on multiple levels.” Due to current theater renovations, they needed a play that could work in a simple black box
space. “Second,” she continues, “we’re an educational institution, and this play offers learning opportunities across the curriculum.”
“I believe this play is universal,” says Layne. “In my perspective, I think having a Jewish background helps, but I don’t think that only Jewish spectators will be able to appreciate and connect emotionally to the play. I think the story needs to be told, and regardless of your descent or background, you will be able to connect to the themes being presented.”
