The childrens' barracks at Theresienstadt is an unusual place to find joy, but then Friedl Dicker-Brandeis was an unusual artist. With only scraps of paper scavenged in the camp, a few painting supplies from home, and one small window out of the barracks, Friedl opened a space for children to find moments of reprieve and creative inspiration in an otherwise terrifying circumstance. “Under Friedl’s Wing” uses painting, puppetry and music to explore Friedl's life, and invites the audience to help create a cloth mural that the cast will bring to the Terezin Museum when they perform there in April 2027
The purpose of a performance of “Under Friedl’s Wing” at Terezin is symbolic. It’s a remembrance, an honoring of Friedl’s life, and a call to action for this generation to see art making as Justice making. The event will be filmed with a small audience of local citizens.
In the 15 months leading up to the trip, at each live performance, the audience will participate in painting the backdrop of the set. I will sew these backdrops together creating a giant prayer shawl to present as a gift to the Terezin Museum.
"With childlike wisdom, Under Friedl’s Wing tells a harrowing story using the simplest of means. Like Friedl Dicker-Brandeis herself, Jennifer Levine and Jeff Raz understand that love,hope, and bearing witness are far more powerful and enduring than destruction.” John Link, Composer
Would you like to help fund this dream? With your assistance, we can time travel to the past and through the magic of theatre, reach out a hand to Friedl and the children, as well as send a message to the future that a small act of courage ripples through generations and encourages art making as an act of resistance in challenging times.
*Jennifer Levine - Creator/performer
*Jeff Raz - Director
*Diana Naparst - Singer
*Brad Friedman-Accordion
*Jake Wichansky - Filmmaker
Preview performance video:
YouTube Performances
Our goal is to raise $18,000 to cover the cost of the trip and create a film of the journey.
All donations are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor - Jewishcreativity.org
Contact Jennifer directly at 973-634-3378/JenniferMegLevine@gmail.com for donation details and to schedule your performance. To see more of Jennifer’s work: JenniferLevineArt.org
instagram: Jenniferlevineart
