McCutcheon High School students are bringing history to life through “The White Rose: A One-Act Play,” a production that highlights the courage of young people who stood up against injustice during the Holocaust.

The play is part of the Greater Lafayette Holocaust Remembrance Conference and will be performed at 2 pm on April 26 at McCutcheon High School. Teacher Stella Schafer-Smith directs the performance with assistance from Lori Caldwell-Hopkins and Beth Simpson.

In the weeks leading up to the performance, students are not only rehearsing their roles but also studying the historical context behind the story. “The White Rose” focuses on a group of German university students who used their voices to resist the Nazi regime, a perspective that resonates strongly with the students bringing the story to the stage.

Students involved in the production say the work has challenged them to think critically about their roles and the real people they portray, as well as the importance of sharing stories like this with their peers and the community.

McCutcheon junior Rachel Burgeson, who plays Sophie Scholl, says the story is rooted in real events.

“The White Rose is about a resistance group based in 1940s Munich, Germany. It is a true story,” Rachel says. “This group distributed anti-Nazi leaflets and propaganda, resulting in several imprisonments and executions.”

She says the message is especially relevant for students today.

“I hope people understand that anyone has the power to speak up and resist wrongdoing,” Rachel says. “The White Rose was a group of college students, not experienced political activists or politicians, but students. No matter what, ‘if for no other reason, years from now, when people look back on this time, when our children ask us what we did, we can tell them, we resisted.’”

McCutcheon senior Xavier Hamilton says the story centers on real courage in the face of danger.

“The White Rose is about a resistance group founded in the heart of Munich, Germany by college students,” Xavier says. “I play the Nazi interrogator Robert Mohr, who I feel is a complex character after researching his life.”

He adds that the message extends beyond history.

“What I hope my classmates and the community take away from the performance is that everyone has power in their voice no matter your age or your background,” Xavier says. “I think people should come see the play because of how powerful the story of the White Rose is. Regular college students not only risked but gave their lives to the resistance all because it’s the right thing to do.”

Rachel also encourages the community to attend.

“Come see the play because it is interesting,” she says. “Even if you’re not a history buff, it’s a powerful story worth hearing.”

The performance is open to the public as part of the 45th Greater Lafayette Holocaust Remembrance Conference. The playwright will attend a question-and-answer session following the performance. Admission is free, and donations will support local Holocaust education.