Can a theater performance change the way young people see others? New findings from the Anne Frank Center USA suggest that meaningful change is possible.
A review of student evaluations from the 2025–2026 school year offers encouraging evidence of the impact of our educational theater programs.
The findings show that 85% of students maintained or improved positive attitudes toward Jewish people following our performances. Among students who began with the least positive attitudes, 27% moved into positive territory.
These results are especially meaningful at a time when antisemitism and misinformation continue to shape the world young people are growing up in.
More Than a History Lesson
Through performances such as Letters from Anne & Martin and Conversations with Anne, students encounter history through the words, experiences, and choices of people who lived it.
These programs invite students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and consider perspectives different from their own.
The evaluation findings suggest that this approach can help students build understanding and reconsider attitudes toward Jewish people.
Learning From the Results
The findings give AFC USA both encouragement and a starting point for continued improvement.
As we expand our programs into more schools and communities, we will use what we’ve learned to strengthen our educational approach and better understand how students respond.
Our goal is not simply to reach more young people. It is to create experiences that encourage reflection, empathy, and a willingness to challenge prejudice.
These results remind us why this work matters, and why bringing meaningful educational experiences to more students remains so important.
