Conciliation
This play received a staged reading on April 6, 2025 and was positively received by a full house. It will be used as an education tool for remote learning about the Holocaust under of the auspices of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE). In addition to the video of the production and the copy of the script, you will find a lesson plan for support of teachers as they use this theatrical tool.
In addition, an hour long video of an educational presentation for students in the area of Holocaust Education has been added below. We are doing this to make it easier for educators who want to use these materials.
Play Announcement
A Staged Reading of “Conciliation”, a new play by David Fuks
Contact: David Fuks (503) 504-5256, DHFuksConsulting@gmail.com
Playwright, author and actor David Fuks is happy to announce that his latest play, “Conciliation” will receive a staged reading on April 6, 2025 at 1:30 pm at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE). This is Fuks’ third production at the Fertile Ground Theatre Festival in Portland.
“Conciliation” is focused on two families impacted by the Holocaust. It portrays a fictional therapy session taking place in Berlin where a German family (who are descendants of Nazis) and an American Jewish family (who are descendants of Holocaust survivors) work together in an effort to develop mutual understanding.
Fuks, who is a descendant of Holocaust survivors, shares, “It is an unanticipated truth that both the descendants of Holocaust survivors and descendants of the Nazi aggressors of World War Two might have issues in common. Both may have been raised by parents who might have been emotionally unable or unwilling to discuss their experiences. Both may have heard stories that have shocked them and caused them to struggle with the ‘secondhand smoke’ of anger or grief or shame. Both may also wish to find a path to move through this emotional legacy by seeking the truth and expressing their humanity.”
A talkback with the audience will follow the performance. Members of the OJMCHE Holocaust Education Speakers’ Bureau and the Next Generation Group (both of which Fuks is a member) are being invited to the performance and to participate in the talkback session. The event will be video recorded and made available to OJMCHE as a teaching tool.
Fuks added, “I am grateful to our cast and creative team led by our Director, Annie Leonard, and our Videographer, Michael Lang. I am deeply appreciative of the support we have received from OJMCHE, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.”
“Conciliation” PERFORMANCE DETAILS:
April 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE)
724 NW Davis St. Portland, OR
Staged-Reading
The play is portrayed as a 70 minute long therapy session. The play takes place in Berlin.
audience Talk-Back
Join David Fuks and the cast as they respond to audience comments and questions.
Holocaust Education
We are doing this to make it easier for educators who want to use these materials. This video was developed in a live session with 70 eighth grade students.
Conciliation lesson plan
About the actors
Gretchen – Marietta Hedges is an actor, director and former professor of acting at the Catholic University in Washington, DC. She’s performed internationally, in both London and Shanghai. Nationally, she’s worked in New York, Washington, DC, Baltimore and San Francisco. Her solo show, Selma ’65, was named one of the top 25 socio-political shows by American Theater Magazine. She played the role of Karen in the film, Money Matters, which won an HBO screenwriting award.
Wilhelm – Jon Bolden is an actor, director, and instructor of improvised theater in Portland, OR. You can catch him monthly at Kickstand Comedy or in various productions around the city. You can read his poetry and see what he’s up to at www.jonbolden.com
Fritz – Bob Lovitz is so pleased to be working with this wonderful cast, director and playwright on this important and meaningful new play. Having originally trained some years ago in New York City, Bob has spent the last few years performing in the Portland area. Notable appearances include: Arsenic and Old Lace at Lakewood, Hamlet at 21Ten and The Crucible at Twilight.
Leona – Barbara Passolt acted, sang, danced and lived in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, St. Louis, and Reno, visited 48 U.S. States in National Tours of City of Angels, Into the Woods, Me & My Girl, and Annie. She loves telling Leona’s story and living in Portland with her husband and critters.
Gena – Angie Tennant: After a decade of performing in NYC, Angie is thrilled to have settled in Portland where they’ve performed with 21ten Theatre, The Theatre Company, and Fuse Theatre Ensemble. Select Off-Broadway credits: Boys Will Be Boys (59E59), The Dead, 1908 (Irish Repertory Theatre) & Somebody’s Gotta Be… (The Working Theater), The Invincible Ones (New Light Theatre Co.). Angie holds an MFA in Acting from The New School for Drama, and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity & 21ten Theatre. They offer acting coaching & teach at 21ten, and The Actor’s Conservatory. www.angietennant.com
Isaiah – Ava Rose has been seen on a variety of local stages as a singer and actor. Favorite shows include Die Zauberflöte, Sister Act, Seminar, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thank you to Annie and David for the opportunity to be a part of this important work.”
Dr. Louisa Schatz –Emily Sahler really enjoys developing new works, and is very pleased to participate in this powerful and timely piece. She has worked in Portland theatre for over 35 years, most notably at the Broadway Rose, Artists Rep., Lakewood Theatre, triangle productions, and the old Portland Civic Theatre, among others. She has appeared in most of the TV series filmed here, like Grimm, The Librarians, Portlandia, Leverage, and Trinkets. Emily has also been known to commit random acts of cabaret, and jumps at almost any chance to sing. In fact, her motto is “Sing anyway.” She will be performing in another Fertile Ground piece, Shakespeare in the Dark, at the Chapel Theatre. It’s quite silly and a total departure from this piece.
Recognizing our sponsors
In addition to our appreciation for our artistic team and the wonderful support provided by the Portland Area Theatre Alliance and the Fertile Ground Festival, we are also pleased to acknowledge:
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation
An Invisible Friend Production
Our creative team
Playwright – David Fuks has worked as an actor, stand-up and improvisational comedian for many years. A number of his short stories have been published. “Conciliation” is his third production in the Fertile Ground Community. His play, “Alma de Luna”, will have a world premiere at HART Theatre in Hillsboro, Oregon in January of 2026.Fuks is a descendant of Holocaust survivors. He is a participant in the Oregon Jewish Museum Holocaust Speakers’ Bureau and a member of the Next Generation Group.
Director – Annie Leonard is thrilled to bring this important piece to life with this incredible cast. An actress, singer and director, Annie studied with RADA in London and graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has had the honor of performing internationally and across the country, and is a proud founding member of Cornerstone Theatre Company, cornerstonepdx.com; keep an eye out for upcoming productions! @wheretheheartispdx,
aleonardrealty.com.
Videographer – Michael Lang is a freelance videographer and editor based in Portland, OR. He has worked on a variety of productions from large-scale projects to small intimate shoots. Michael’s expertise spans cinematography, video editing, and drone piloting. With a classical education in the history and art of cinema, he is passionate about helping all types of artists, filmmakers, and storytellers transition their ideas into a visual medium to share with the world.
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