The Star on My Heart

Author(s):

Based on survivor Inge Auerbacher, the play follows Inge's life in back-and-forth vignettes. At age seven, Inge and her family are taken from their home in Germany and sent to the Terezín concentration camp. Three years of harsh conditions, death, and fear follow her. When she is liberated from Terezín in 1945, Inge falls ill with tuberculosis. She spends two years on complete bedrest in a New York City hospital ward. Once released, Inge attempts to fit in at her new high school, and discovers a love of science. She graduates after two years of schooling and goes on to become a successful chemist and author.
Format: Full-length drama
Character breakdown
INGE AUERBACHER: 11-21 y/o, German, living in post WWII America
MISS MAHONEY: 30-50 y/o, American nurse in NYC hospital ward
REGINA AUERBACHER: 30-50 y/0, German, Inge’s mother
NAZI SOLDIER: 20-40 y/o, German Nazi soldier
BERTHOLD AUERBECHER: 40-50 y/o, German, Inge’s father
GRANDMOTHER: 50-70y/o, German, Inge’s grandmother
YOUNG INGE: 7-10 y/o, German, living in WWII Germany/Prague
HARVEY: 10-15 y/o, American, sick in NYC hospital ward
VINA: 13-16 y/o, African American, sick in NYC hospital
MARY ANN: 7-9 y/o, American, sick in NYC hospital ward
BBC RADIO ANNOUNCER
ELISABETH: 7-9 y/o, German, pre-war friend of Inge’s
THERESE: 20-30 y/o, German, Christian friend of Auerbachers
MRS. RINDER: 40-50 y/o, German, prisoner of Terezin
TOMMY RINDER: 8-11 y/o, German, prisoner of Terezin
HARRY: 15 y/o, Puerto Rican, sick in NYC hospital ward
SARA ABRAHAM: 30-50 y/o, Ruth’s mother, prisoner of Terezin
ADA: 11 y/o, German, prisoner of Terezin
MR. RUCHLIS: 50-60 y/o, American, Brooklyn high school teacher
RUTH ABRAHAM: 9-10 y/o, German, prisoner of Terezin
ANDY: 15-17 y/o, American, Brooklyn high school student
BOB: 15-17 y/o, American, Brooklyn high school student
EVELYN: 15-21 y/o, American, Brooklyn high school student
DOCTOR: 40-60 y/o, American, Inge’s New York doctor
HANNAH: 9-11 y/o, German, prisoner of Terezin
HENRY: 21-25 y/o, American, Queens College student

Snapshot

Notes:

Elementary and middle school study guides available.

Original or Prominent Production: Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, Chardon, Ohio; Manhattan Repertory Theatre, NYC Times Square, April 2016.
Original Source Material: I Am a Star by Inge Auerbacher; Beyond the Yellow Star to America by Inge Auerbacher; one-on-one interviews.
Nationality of Author:
Original Language: English
Production Rights Holder:

All rights are held by Angela Miloro-Hansen.

Experience(s) Chronicled: | | | | | | | |

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