Pankrac ’45 by Czech playwright Martina Kinska

English Translation by Barbara Day

It is 1945 in Prague after the German defeat. A short period of liberation-euphoria is followed by a turbulent time of revenge and retribution. Nazis and traitors are prosecuted and public executions happen daily. Sharing one prison cell are five women accused of Nazi collaboration. None of them knows how long they will be there, or if any will live to see the outside world again. Each has to testify knowing the gallows are waiting. The play is a gut-wrenching human story that raises profound questions regarding guilt, revenge, betrayal, and survival. It was presented at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC from October 28 to November 21, 2021.

The play featured Sara Barker as Hana, Lisa Hodsoll as Julca, Aniko Olah as Nova, Karin Rosnizeck as Adina, and Stacy Whittle as Lida. Co-directors:  Melissa Robinson and Karin Rosnizeck. Assistant Director:  Kate Foster. Set and projections by Johnny Dahm Robertson, lighting design by Marianne Meadows, and costumes by Brandee Matthies. It was named by DC Metro Theater Arts as one of the top performances in 2021.