Vineyard Presents 3rd Annual Benefit Perf of ARE WE WRITING LOUD ENOUGH?

For the 3rd consecutive year, THE DIARY 21 PROJECT -- an Arts-In-Education collaboration of The Anne Frank Center USA, Vineyard Theatre and Young Playwrights Inc. designed to teach students literacy and tolerance through the arts, using Anne Frank's diary and legacy as inspiration -- will present a benefit performance of "ARE WE WRITING LOUD ENOUGH?" on Monday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) in Manhattan.

The benefit will feature actors Liz Stauber (currently appearing at the Vineyard in Christopher Shinn's world-premiere play PICKED), Cindy Cheung (MIDDLETOWN), Tala Ashe (URGE FOR GOING), Duane Boutte (CAROUSEL), Bill Bowers (THE LION KING) and Andrew Kober (HAIR), along with members of The Vineyard Theatre Student Company as they perform selections from new plays written by students of Washington Irving High School and the Lab School for Collaborative Studies as part of the annual DIARY 21 PROJECT.

The performance will be introduced by Ernie Colon, the illustrator, and Thomas LeBien of Hill and Wang, the publisher, of the book "The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography."

THE DIARY 21 PROJECT is an educational initiative that uses "The Diary of Anne Frank" to inspire New York City students to realize the power of writing. ARE WE WRITING LOUD ENOUGH? is a performance of selected works -- created by the students under the auspices of the program -- that reflect their responses and attitudes towards worldwide injustice, prejudice and the challenges of young adulthood.

Each year, THE DIARY 21 PROJECT provides students from Washington Irving High School and Lab School for Collaborative Studies the opportunity to attend orientation sessions at the Anne Frank Center USA in NYC, where they meet with Holocaust survivors; read "The Diary of Anne Frank" in class; and participate in writing workshops with a professional playwright from Young Playwrights Inc., culminating with a performance of ARE WE WRITING LOUD ENOUGH? at the Vineyard Theatre.

The Anne Frank Center USA promotes the universal message of tolerance by developing and disseminating a variety of educational programs, including exhibitions, workshops, and special events. A partner organization of the Anne Frank House, the not-for-profit organization uses the diary and spirit of Anne Frank as unique tools to advance her legacy, to educate young people and communities about the consequences of intolerance, racism and discrimination, and to inspire the next generation to build a world based on mutual respect. For more information about the Center, visit www.annefrank.com.

Young Playwrights Inc. was founded by Stephen Sondheim in 1981 as the only professional theatre devoted solely to the work of writers aged 18 or younger. The organization promotes playwriting in basic education through the use of a standardized curriculum taught by professional playwrights. For more information visit www.youngplaywrights.org

One of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, Vineyard Theatre has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works including the Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, Tarell Alvin McCraney's WIG OUT!, The Civilians' THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, Nicky Silver's PTERODACTYLS and RAISED IN CAPTIVITY, the Laura Nyro musical ELI'S COMIN', A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, Adam Rapp's THE METAL CHILDREN and most recently the acclaimed world premiere of Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN. Vineyard Theatre is the recipient of the Tony Award for the musical AVENUE Q and continues as producer of the musical's current production at New World Stages in New York. The Vineyard produced the world-premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, direction and choreography Susan Stroman - both on and Off-Broadway, as well as the musical [title of show].

ARE WE WRITING LOUD ENOUGH? will be performed on Monday, May 9 at 7:00pm at The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street). A reception will follow. General admission tickets are $25. For reservations or to make a $25 donation to enable a student or family member to attend, call 212-353-0303 or visit www.vineyardtheatre.org. All proceeds from the event will support THE DIARY 21 PROJECT in 2011-12.