In Quest of Conscience

Students in Gann Academy’s 12th Grade Shoah elective are engaged in deep study of an under-told piece of Holocaust history with the goal of sharing their learning to the benefit of the Gann community. Using an innovative project-based learning model, our students have taken on the roles of dramaturgs and public historians working with professional actors to present a staged reading of Robert MacDonald’s play, “In Quest of Conscience.” This play is an adaptation of journalist Gitta Sereny’s groundbreaking book, Into the Darkness, which explores the inner mind of Franz Stangl, the commandant of Treblinka. Sereny spent 80 hours interviewing Stangl while he was imprisoned in Germany, and many more interviewing those closest to him. Her book is a rare glimpse into the psyche and story of a Nazi officer and an exploration of what Hannah Arendt called “the banality of evil.” 

 

Gann is honored to share this staged reading and our students’ deep learning with our community as part of our Yom HaShoah programming on Thursday, April 20 at 7pm in the Bernice Krupp Black Box Theatre. 

 

The event is free but seats are limited. Reserve your tickets at the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gitta-serenys-in-quest-of-conscience-tickets-592848725497