The Diary of Anne Frank

February 19-20, 2025
9:30AM, 12:30pm & 7PM* 
La Mirada Theatre for
the Performing Arts
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Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.

In this transcendentally powerful new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination.

An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief. Each day of these two dark years, Anne’s voice shines through: “When I write I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death!” This is a new adaptation for a new generation.

Written by: Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett
Newly adapted by: Wendy Kesselman

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MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

GUADALUPE GARCIA (Director) is a graduate from Cal State Fullerton, majoring in Theatre with an emphasis in directing and Ethnic Studies (Chicana/o). Her artistic mission is to blend both studies in her work. Some of her credits include director of  Real Women Have Curves (Phantom Projects Theatre), assistant stage manager for Dog Man the Musical, Los Angeles leg of tour, production assistant for Fetch Clay Make Man, assistant director for Weirdo, or (Make Nice), assistant director for Delusion: Valley of Hollows and artistic consultant for Brackish.

 

JON GAW (Set Construction) has been designing and building sets for over thirty years. Some of his favorities include Red Noses (STAGEStheatre), The Day They Shot John Lennon (STAGEStheatre), Vanya and Sonja and Marsha and Spike (STAGEStheatre), Clue (Maverick Theater), The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Curtis Theater/STAGEStheatre), and Once (Curtis Theater/Southgate Productions).

 

 

KRISTIN SERENA (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be onboard for another adventure with Phantom Projects. She received her BS in Theatre Arts and Psychology from Bradley University, where she learned there’s no place she’d rather be than in a theatre with a headset. When she’s not stage managing with Phantom, she can be found backstage with the fantastic MikkoMia team assisting and coordinating on concerts for names like Danny Elfman and Seth MacFarlane. As of late, her stage management work includes Phantom Projects’ very own The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Cat in the Hat, Real Women Have Curves, Matilda Jr., Sweeney Todd, Charlotte’s Web, Mariachi Girl, The Giver (2024), and Number the Stars (2023). She would like to thank her Phantom Phamily for yet another amazing experience, and Matthew for being her rock (and keeping her sane). I could not do any of this without you, thank you for your unwavering love and support on this adventure of life.

 

 

JULIANNA ROSSI (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be co-stage managing this production of The Diary of Anne Frank! Julianna has starred onstage in Phantom Projects #TheSocialMediaPlay (2023/2024) as Kris and Vanessa. Since 2023, Julianna has worked in stage management on productions like Number the Stars (2023), The Giver (2024), Mariachi Girl (2024), Sweeney Todd (2024), Matilda (2024), Real Women Have Curves (2024), Avenue Q (2024), Cat in The Hat (2024), & The Marvelous Wonderettes (2025). Julianna looks to continue her career in theatre and thanks her grandfather and family for the inspiration to do so! Julianna hopes to continue working with the amazing Phantom Projects team! 

 

 

GARRETT CRUZ (Production Intern) a graduate of Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Cinema and Television studies, where he pursued his passion for film and produced several student films. Following graduation he developed an interest in theatre and live performance, and hopes to continue to develop his skills in these fields. He currently works at a middle school where he helps students find and develop their passions, and continues to work on short film productions.

 

DANIEL GUITIERREZ (Production Intern) Daniel Gutierrez is known for working in the scene shop for Fullerton College and currently is the assistant lighting designer for Craigslisted. Having worked in theater on many shows before, Daniel’s favorites were High School Musical On Stage, Avenue Q, and 9 to 5. Daniel plans to pursue a technical theater BFA degree from CSUF.

 

 

MILES PETERS (Production Intern) is ecstatic to be back for his fourth show with Phantom Projects and grateful for the opportunity to work with the stage management team. After participating in #TheSocialMediaPlay and The Giver as an actor and observing all the work that goes into production, he’s happy to expand his horizons and approach theatre from a different angle. Outside of theatre, he enjoys watching television, writing fiction, and listening to every genre of music he can find.

 

 

ZOE WILBER (Costume and Prop Design) graduated from Chapman University in 2021 with a BFA in Theatre Performance. She is grateful for the opportunities to design for Phantom Projects Theatre productions since Fall 2022. She has been the general manger for Phantom Projects since Fall 2023! Thank you Eddie for all of your love and support. 

 

 

 

MEET THE CAST

Delilah Bank (Margot Frank) is a 16 year old high school student at Geffen Academy at UCLA and she also studies voice, acting, and dance at the Colburn School and the Westside School of Ballet. She has been performing since she was 3 years old and has done over 30 productions, both musicals and plays. Select Credits include: Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney, French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts), Oliver (Featured Soloist, 5-Star Theatricals), Matilda (Ms. Honey, Geffen Academy Players) Ragtime (Ensemble, 5-Star Theatricals), and Oppenheimer (Little Boy, Rogue Machine Theatre). She is so excited to make her Phantom Project Theatre Group debut!

As an actor, Davis Barber (Mr. Dussel) thrives in roles of sloppy or sarcastic parents, politicians and CEOs. He parallels the likes of Lenny Briscoe and Oscar Madison with a dash of Logan Roy. In real life he produces small-room live performances, including plays, table reads, presentations and workshops. His hobbies are coffee roasting, bicycling and making his kids cringe.

Jack (Mr. Van Daan) makes his Phantom Projects debut in his 45th year as an actor, following over a hundred other productions, including fifteen in the three years since he relocated to the Los Angeles area. Recent favorite roles (you know the shows) include Agatha Trunchbull, Hercule Poirot, Papa Maurice and Dom Claude Frollo.

Andrew Colford (Mr. Kraler) is making his Phantom/La Mirada debut, and he couldn’t be more excited! He’d like to thank Steve, Guadalupe, Kristin, and the entire cast and crew for the opportunity to help tell such a beautiful story. He’d also like to thank his wife Samantha and his parents Jack and Margaret for their undying love and support. Previous Theater: I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Greenway Court Theatre), The Baby Dance (Playhouse West), The Nerd (Theater Barn), The Killing (Bridge Street Theatre), To Kill a Mockingbird (Bristol Valley Theater). Film/TV: Rescue: HI-Surf (FOX), General Hospital (ABC).

Nick Enea (Soldier) holds a BFA in Acting from UC Santa Barbara and is a new, recent resident to Southern California. Nick is a part of the West Coast touring troupe of SURVIVORS by Wendy Kout, a play following ten survivors before, during, and after the Holocaust. An important story to tell, just like The Diary of Anne Frank. Nick also recently performed in EVERWILL at Long Beach Shakespeare. This is his first performance with Phantom Projects.

Kieran Flanagan (Soldier) is thrilled to make his Phantom Projects debut! Kieran graduated from PCPA’s Professional Actor Training program in 2023. While there, he appeared in As You Like It(Oliver), Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Emma, and Bright Star, and he understudied in The Book of Will. Kieran has a BA in Theatre Arts; great shows from his college journey include Green Day’s American Idiot(Johnny), A Midsummer Night’s Dream(Lysander), and Twelve Angry Jurors (Juror #10), and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot(Judge Littlefield).

Ava Madison Gray (Anne Frank) is delighted to return to Phantom Projects to take on this meaningful role, after starring as Annemarie Johansen in their 2023 production of Number The Stars. Ava is 14 years old, and has been performing since the age of 5. Prior credits include Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden at the Ahmanson Theatre, Matilda Wormwood in Matilda the Musical at No Square Theatre, and the lead of Mirka in a staged reading of Hereville: The Musical at The Old Globe in San Diego, and in NYC. Ava is a voice-over artist, most recognizable as JJ and the iconic logo of CoComelon. Ava is also a National Anthem singer for the Angels Major League Baseball Team.

Caitlin Herst (Miep Gies) is excited to return to the stage after a long hiatus by making her Phantom Projects debut! Alumni of Stella Adler Studio of Acting NYC. Favorite past roles include Mary Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music, and Corie in Barefoot in the Park, all at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in Scottsdale, AZ. After spending the past couple of years creating YouTube videos and streaming games on Twitch, Caitlin returns to her first love—the stage. This production marks her California theatrical debut, and she is deeply honored to portray Miep Gies in The Diary of Anne Frank, a role that holds profound historical significance. “But even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can, within their own small ways, turn on a small light in a dark room.” – Miep Gies

Nina Kasuya (Mrs. Van Daan) is thrilled to be making her debut with Phantom Projects. Recent credits include Pacific Overtures (Dutch Admiral), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune (Frankie), The L Word: Generation Q, The Good Doctor, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and singing for artists including Teddy Swims, CeCe Winans, Alfie Boe and Brandon Victor Dixon. Nina is also a passionate educator who has been featured at Boston Sings A Cappella Festival, Milwaukapella, Los Angeles A Cappella Festival, and currently works with students at Icon Collective College of Music.

Eric (Otto Frank) is honored to be making his debut at the La Mirada Theater in the company of such a talented cast and crew. When not running his own law practice, Eric thoroughly enjoys participating in Southern California’s vibrant theater scene. Favorite roles include Edgar Chesterfield in Ben Hur, Lloyd in Noises Off, Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, Cladwell in Urinetown: The Musical, Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q, Prof. Callahan in Legally Blonde, and Mr. Krabs in Sponge Bob: The Musical. Eric would like to thank his amazing wife, his incredible kids, and his loyal friends for their support of his theater habit. Eric would also like to thank all of you for choosing to experience this important story celebrating beauty and kindness in the midst of inhumanity. May the stories of those who perished in the Holocaust never be forgotten, and may their memories be a Blessing.

Vansh M Sha (Soldier) is a passionate actor, from India, celebrated for his range and commitment to craft across film and stage. Vansh has shined on stage, performing in renowned productionse such as “You Can’t Take It With You” at The Group Rep at Lonny Chapman Theatre and “Midsummer’s Night Dream” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2025. With a growing body of work, Vansh remains a rising star in the entertainment industry.

Erica Lauren Wise (Edith Frank) is grateful to be part of Phantom’s cast for telling of this powerful story. Having only recently moved to Los Angeles, this is her first theater performance in the U.S. She is also a professional cellist, and lived in Barcelona, Spain for many years.

Michael Zampino (Peter Vam Daan) is honored to have his dramatic debut with Phantom Projects and to bring the role of “Peter” to life on the La Mirada stage. Other stage credits include a Lost Boy in The Lythgoe Family Panto-“Peter Pan and Tinkerbell” and Youth Ensemble in “Oliver” at The Thousand Oaks Civic Plaza. He is also a member of the Jr. Company for “All Roads Theatre Company” at North Hollywood’s historic, El Portal Theatre. Prior to falling in love with live theatre, Michael was an award-winning competitive dancer. Michael would like to thank his family and friends for all their love and support.