Enter Every Paradise (working title) traces the story of Etty Hillesum’s remarkable journey to inner liberation through the outwardly traumatic final two years of her life before her death at Auschwitz at the age of 29. Using the audience as a journal, Etty carries us to 1941 Amsterdam where the arrival of Julius Spier, a Jungian Analyst, has a profound impact on a previously open society now struggling under the weight of fascist oppression. Spier teaches Etty to confront her own prejudices as a way of combating Nazi hatred. As the bond between Etty and Spier strengthens, so does Etty’s relationship to literature, history, and God. An ensemble of seven actors investigates Etty’s interior world of dreams, prayer, and writing; as well as the external world of musical evenings, therapeutic wrestling matches, and mass deportations. Through it all, Etty’s transformation becomes a wellspring of compassion as she refuses to go into hiding, instead volunteering as a social worker to serve others in the Westerbork Transit Camp, a decision that ultimately leads her to Auschwitz.

The Etty Project is comprised of three theater professionals who came together specifically to create this piece in 2005. This new play is being collaboratively created by Artistic Director and critically acclaimed Actor Anne Gottlieb, Obie Award-winning Theater Artist and Director Katie Pearl, and nationally recognized Playwright Kirk Lynn (“Lipstick Traces”, “Major Bang”). Collectively these artists have developed, produced and directed more than 120 shows in 13 cities, including three Off-Broadway premieres and seven national and international tours.

The Etty Project is being produced by FortyMagnolias Productions, a non-profit theater arts organization dedicated to developing and producing new work for the stage.