Irena’s Vow by Dan Gordon is a compelling drama that tells the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke, a courageous Polish woman who risked everything during World War II to save Jewish lives. Set in Nazi-occupied Poland, the play explores Irena’s remarkable journey as she hides and protects a group of Jews in the basement of a German officer’s home, where she works as a housekeeper. This gripping and emotionally charged story highlights themes of bravery, compassion, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Irena’s Vow is a testament to the extraordinary acts of heroism that can emerge from the darkest moments in history.
RATED: PG-13
Content Warnings: Mentions of violence, Anti-semitism, and rape
Get the RESERVED SEATING FRONT-ROW experience as Irena talks directly to our guest youth patrons. Thanks to a generous patron, we have guest tickets for upper middle (age 13) through high school youth for the run of Irena’s Vow. Come see this important, true, and timely story.
Dialect Coach
Powerstories Theatre is thrilled to announce our partnership with Tampa JCCs & Federation! Together, we’re shining a light on an important issue through art.
The Shine a Light Youth Art Contest was created for students in grades 4-12 to raise awareness and empower individuals to stand against the hatred of Jewish people as well as mitigate ignorance through the power of art. Students of all backgrounds were encouraged to participate. A panel of judges reviewed the entries for a number of features, including written interpretation, addressing combatting antisemitism, depth of feeling, originality, imagination, creativity, and craftsmanship.
The top entries were revealed during a reception on May 6th that celebrated the students’ talents.
Powerstories Theatre will showcase the incredible works of nine young artists, the top three in each youth category, who have boldly expressed their perspectives on combating antisemitism. Their creativity and passion resonate deeply with our upcoming play, “Irena’s Vow.”
Join us for this powerful exhibition in Stagework Theatre’s lobby during the run of the play and witness the impact of art in fostering understanding and unity.
Work will be displayed at Stageworks Theatre
Work will be displayed at Stageworks Theatre
Work will be displayed at Stageworks Theatre
Powerstories is working with local restaurants near Stageworks to give you the opportunity for a discounted dinner before or after IRENA’S VOW during the show’s run of July 10-21. We will update the website with links and locations to partnering restaurants.
Our first partner is Maloney’s Local Irish Pub, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
Patrons save 15% off your bill with your digital/print ticket before the show or your playbill after the show.
https://www.maloneyslocalirishpub.com
Hours of Operation: Monday – Sunday – 11:00 am until 12:00 am
We’re excited to welcome you to a special gathering on Thursday evening from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM to celebrate the opening night. Fifty guests will have the opportunity to savor delightful offerings from Campbell River Cheese and Charcuterie and toast to the upcoming performance. Following the reception, please join us in the theatre for the presentation of “Irena’s Vow.”
Get your VIP Reception and Performance Tickets here: https://mytbtickets.com/events/irenas-vow-opening-night-reception-7-11-2024
Ursula Szczepinska is the Director of Education & Research at The Florida Holocaust Museum. Prior to joining The FHM 20 years ago, she worked at the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw and at the State Museum at Majdanek on site of the former Nazi concentration and death camp in Lublin, Poland. At both organizations, she worked with unpublished testimony, conducted research, and designed primary source-based resources. As the head of The FHM’s Education and Research Department, Ursula is responsible for teacher, student, and community education. Ursula teaches classes for educators and students K-12 and university level. She conducts archival and historical research for Holocaust survivors as well as for exhibitions and other projects at The FHM. Through research, she has helped survivors discover the fate of their loved ones during the Holocaust. She leads the “Shoah Victims’ Names Recovery Project” at The FHM in cooperation with Yad Vashem – she has collected and submitted over 700 Pages of Testimony from local survivors with data about victims who perished in the Holocaust. She received the 2011 “Outstanding Achievement Award” from the Florida Association of Museums for her contributions to Yad Vashem’s Shoah Victims’ Names Recovery Project. Ursula is the author of study guides and other educational resources. She interviews Holocaust survivors for The FHM’s archives and for the interactive Dimensions in Testimony project. Ursula presented at conferences organized by the Association of Holocaust Organizations, Florida Association of Museums, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Florida Council for the Social Studies, and others. In partnership with the Anti-Defamation League and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, she piloted in Florida the “Law Enforcement and Society: Lessons of the Holocaust” program for police agencies across the state and has been teaching it since 2014.
Thank you to everyone who joined at JCCs and Federation Cohn campus for the Meet and Greet limited to 50 guests.
Here’s where we will be bringing theatre to you next!
PO Box 18021
Tampa, FL 33679
