REFUGE THEATRE COMPANY

Es lebe die Freiheit!

The True Heroic Story from the Other Side of WWII

Contents
Cast of Characters ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Production Notes .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Set: ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Sound: ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Props: ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Script ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

Cast of Characters
Hans Scholl-(18-25) Hes charismatic, loyal, and quick witted. Hes a medical major at the University of Munich and has served in the Nazi German army as well as a number of years in Hitlers Youth. Sophie Scholl- (16-18) Rebellious, shes always wanted to keep up with her older brother Hans. She originally participated in The League of German Girls (a branch of Hitlers Youth) which quickly helped found her criticism of Hitlers policies and beliefs. Sophie is a talented artist and an avid reader. Christoph Probst- (20-25) Medical student, served in Germanys military and has always been very critical of Hitlers ideas regarding human liberty. Alexander Schmorell- (18-25) He moved to Germany from Russia at the age of four years old. His father is a medical doctor and his mother died of typhus when he was only two. Alexander is The White Roses Graffiti artist a lot of the paintings that appeared around the campus (Down with Hitler, Freedom etc.) were of his doing. Lucas- (18-25) Hitlers Youth Member was previously in the same troop as Hans and they were close friends. Lucas is now a member of Hitlers Gestapo police and maintains his friendship Hans and Sophie.

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

Production Notes
Time and Location: 1942-1943 Nazi Germany Run Time: 8-10 minutes. Set:
Bare/Flexible set. Possible desk, typewriter, and chairs.

Sound:
Knock on the Door, and possible room noise to help clarify the time of day.

Props: White Rose Pamphlets Blank Paper Directors Notes: The story begins immediately following a speech by Joseph Goebbels who had many walk outs in German colleges. This sketch is based off of the true story of the real White Rose a student group that stood up against Hitler in Germany during WWII. All the characters except for Lucas are based off of real people and can be found on the internet for further character development research.

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

Script
(Nazi rally/marching sounds.)

IN BLACKOUT SOPHIE (Offstage): Hitlers power was said to be extraordinarily dependent on the sympathy of the population. A reversal of feeling among the people would be a weapon of considerable force against him, one which would threaten even his own self-confidence. HANS (Offstage): For this reason, some friends and I started using the information we knew from being in the axis military against Hitler himself. Our leaflets were one of the greatest political "crimes" against the Nazi Party, an act of rebellion that would outlive the Nazis, the war, and even us. SOPHIE (Offstage): Together. HANS (Offstage): We are The White Rose, CHISTOPH (Offstage): and this ALEX (Offstage): is our story. LIGHTS UP (SOPHIE and HANS enter.) SOPHIE: I cant believe that speakers nerve! (Mimicking the speaker.) Ladies, if you want to be of use to the Fuhrer drop out of school and be a housewife. Can you believe that? HANS: Sophie, if you keep walking out of these speeches people are going to suspectSOPHIE: I wasnt the only one. You walked out too. Im tired of being a piece in the Nazis game. In fact, the whole bloody regime infuriates me! (Louder) We cant just sit here and let them get away with this! HANS (Quiet hiss, pulling her out of earshot): Shhhh! Sophie I agree with you, but you cant take on the whole socialist movement, the Gestapo, and Hitler by yourself. We have to just play along and bide our time. (ALEX and CHRISTOPH cross to HANS and SOPHIE as they start to exit.)

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

CHRISTOPH (calling): Hans! Sophie! Where are you going? SOPHIE: I thought wed go ahead and get to Mr. Hubers class. ALEX (joining them): Why? Arent you supposed to be inSOPHIE (whisper): I had to get out of there. That manCHRISTOPH (holding up a hand to stop her): Enough said. Can we join you? SOPHIE (start to exit): Sure. Were all going to the same class anyway. ALEX: What I dont understand is why we are all sitting back and doing nothing. We know whats going on, but were not doing anything about it. CHRISTOPH: If we did, it wouldnt make any difference, and Im not that eager to get arrested. ALEX: I would rather get arrested, then have to answer for not doing anything. (SOPHIE, CHRISTOPH, ALEX exit. HANS starts to follow and then turns back.) HANS: Alex and Christoph were both right. This injustice had to be stopped, but without the support of the people nothing could be done. Could there? As I was reflecting on works from some of my favorite authors, I thought about how often the power of ink has been under estimated. (Back in the present, thinking aloud.) Writing has changed the world over and over again. Thats what we need to do, change the world. We need a leaflet of resistance. A paper to encourage people to stand together, to fight back! (Run and grab a piece of paper and begin writing.) (Excited) Every good writer writes from the heart and for me- (writing) for me there is but one slogan: fight against the party which holds us in political bondage. We want genuine learning, and real freedom of opinion. This is a struggle for our future, our freedom, and our honor. (HANS continues to work as ALEX enters.)

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

ALEX (reading): In the name of German youth, we demand that Adolf Hitler restore our personal freedom. The most precious treasure we have, which he has cheated us of in the most miserable way. (Trailing off, seeing HANS.) Did you read this? Our social studies class was passing it around. HANS (aside, continuing to work): Theyre all over the campus. (Pause, frustrated HANS crumples up a piece of paper in his hands, and tosses it.) ALEX: Whats wrong? HANS (shaking his head, tired): Nothing. ALEX (picking up the crumpled paper): Im your best friend, and its obviously something. HANS: You promise not to say anything? ALEX: Deal. HANS: I need a faster way to make copies of that. (HANS gestures to the crumpled paper.) My typewriter is to easily traced, and it takes forever. I also need a writing partner; I cant seem to get it right ALEX (unfolding the paper): You wrote this? But that means that you wrote- (the other one too.) HANS: Ja. ALEX: I had no idea you could write like that.Wait a minute! There is an old printing press that Mr. Huber, our philosophy teacher, uses sometimes to make copies for his lessons. You know how he feels about the Furhers policies, and Im sure if you let him in on your plan he would be more than happy to help. HANS: Thats pretty risky.are you sure? (SOPHIE enters.) SOPHIE: Sure about what? HANS: Nothing. (HANS tries to get rid of the paper in his hand, but SOPHIE is too fast for him.)

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

SOPHIE: I knew it! Anna passed me one of your fliers in philosophy earlier. (Laugh) A great read by an anonymous author, she said! I know my brothers writing when I see it. Its a miracle you dont have any misspellings in the paper. (To ALEX) Hes a great writer but his spelling; it leaves something to be desired. (HANS takes the paper from SOPHIE.) HANS: Now wait just a minute Sophie! SOPHIE: What? I want in! ALEX: Sophie thisHANS: Its against the law. SOPHIE: You think I dont know that? Look somebody had to start something. HANS: I still dont want you getting involved. Its too dangerous. SOPHIE: Listen, what you wrote and said conveys a lot of other peoples opinions. They just don't dare express themselves like you do. Its making a difference Hans, and I want to help! (HANS face clearly says no and he starts to say no. SOPHIE turns to ALEX.) Alex? ALEX: I dont see why not. HANS: Alex! (Groan.) Oh, alright. SOPHIE: Good. First things first, we need to come up with a name for ourselves. You cant keep signing these papers anonymous. We need a signa symbol.something people will remember. (SOPHIE sees a white rose somewhere on the set. Thinking.) A White Rose. Thats it! If you think about it we resemble a white rose in the night, since we stand for purity in a time of darkness. Its perfect! HANS (catching on): Like a white rose..I like it. Thats what we should call ourselves: The White Rose. SOPHIE: We continued to write and distribute the leaflets, until the summer of 1942. When my brother, and the other members of The White Rose were drafted into the Axis military as medical orderlies. While there, they witnessed firsthand the cruelties to the Jewish people in Warshaw ghettos, which only furthered our conviction against the Furher. (A meeting between The White Rose members, HANS folds the last leaflet and puts it in a stack.)
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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

HANS: Thats the last one, our 100th copy of: An appeal to all Germans. ALEX: Thats the most weve ever printed. CHISTOPH: I still dont feel like thats enough. We have to stop this now beforeHANS: I wish we could. ALEX: Youre doing the best you can Hans. HANS: Our best isnt good enough Alex! There has to be something else we can do, but I cant put my finger on it. (Knock on the door. SOPHIE looks offstage as the others continue talking.) SOPHIE: Hans its Lucas! HANS: Whats he doing here? SOPHIE: I dont know, but hes here. HANS: Hes supposed to be in Berlin withSOPHIE (realizing): Oh no. HANS: Theyre onto us. Quick everyone! Hide the papers, and grab your books. (Everyone scampers around quickly, hiding the papers, and grabbing their study books. She lets LUCAS inside, glancing nervously over her shoulder, it needs to be very clear that LUCAS is a GESTAPO member.) SOPHIE: Lucas, what a pleasant surprise! I havent seen you in forever. Please come in. LUCAS: I cant stay Sophie, Im here on business. There has been some criminal activity going on inside the campus. A group of students that call themselves The White Rose have been openly rebelling against the Furher himself. I thought Id stop by to see if you had noticed anything suspicious that might give us a lead. HANS: We will be sure to notify you immediately, if we find anything. LUCAS: Thank you. (To Everyone) Hail Hitler. ALL: Hail Hitler.
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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

(LUCAS exits) SOPHIE: Hans, do you think HANS: No. Come on. Lets get this place cleaned up before he comes back. (They clean, and as they do they pick up some papers off the set and read them.) SOPHIE: And so the days passed with no further disturbance from the Gestapo; or their leader, our old friend Lucas. We continued printing and distributing the leaflets, and soon we had almost the whole city involved. Even some kids from the local high school were helping us out. CHRISTOPH: We emphatically point out, that The White Rose is not in the pay of any foreign power. Although we know that the National Socialists must be broken by military means. We seek the revival of the deeply wounded German spirit. HANS: Isnt it true? That every honest German is ashamed of his government these days? Who among us has any idea the shame that will befall us and our children? When one day the veil falls from our eyes and the most horrible of crimes.crimes that infinitely outdistance every human measure reach the light of day? ALEX: Since the conquest of Poland, 3,000 Jews have been murdered in this country. For the sake of future generations, an example must be set after the war, so that no one will ever have the slightest desire to try anything like this ever again. SOPHIE: The war is approaching its destined end. It has become a mathematical certainty, that Hitler cannot win the war. He can only prolong it. But what are the German people doing? They will not see, and will not listen. Victory at any price! Is inscribed on their banner, "I will fight to the last man," says Hitler. But in the meantime the war has already been lost. (HANS turns and speaks to all those onstage rallying them until he has their undivided attention.) HANS: Germans! Do you and your children want to suffer the same fate that befell the Jews? Are we to be forever a nation which is hated, and rejected by all mankind? No. A new war of liberation is about to begin. Do not believe the National Socialist propaganda which has driven fear into your bones. A criminal regime cannot achieve a German victory! Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the protection of individual citizens from the will of a criminal dictator, these will be the bases of the New Europe.
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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

We are the White Rose, and we will not leave you in peace! Support the resistance before it is too late. BLACKOUT (Its nighttime and HANS and SOPHIE are just about to take the last of the papers to their places of distribution. SOPHIE lights a candle and sets it on the table.) SOPHIE: Hans? HANS: What? SOPHIE: Alex and Christoph were talking to me earlier about- (Knock on the door.) Are you kidding me? Its 1 oclock in the morning! Who couldHANS (glancing offstage): Hes back. SOPHIE: Who? HANS: Lucas and his Gestapo friends. (They begin to hurriedly clean up papers and get all of them except for one stack.) SOPHIE (noticing LUCAS): I thought they left for Berlin yesterday. HANS: Apparently not. SOPHIE: What should we do? HANS: Answer the door of course. SOPHIE: ButHANS: He doesnt know anythings wrong. For all he knows were still as loyal to the Furher as ever. SOPHIE: ButHANS: Just go get the door. Ive got the papers. (SOPHIE answers the door and LUCAS brushes past her and into the room, looking around.) LUCAS: Why are you still awake?

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

SOPHIE (To HANS, glaring): I dont know, that is an excellent question. HANS: Sophie was just helping me with a homework assignment for tomorrow. (HANS drops a paper on the ground and LUCAS picks it up.) LUCAS: Here you- (dropped something). (LUCAS glances at the paper and his face changes. SOPHIE snatches it away.) LUCAS: What was that? SOPHIE: Nothing, just homework. LUCAS: Let me see it. SOPHIE: Why? I told you its just- (homework) (LUCAS grabs her hand with the paper threateningly.) HANS (warning): Lucas! LUCAS (Ignoring HANS, tightening his grip): Give it to me Sophie. SOPHIE: No. I told you its homework. I shouldnt have to- (prove it.) LUCAS: Youre lying. SOPHIE: Stop it! Youre hurting me! HANS: Let my sister go Lucas! LUCAS (threatening): What does that paper say? SOPHIE: It says- It says that- (LUCAS pulls her arm further behind her back.) Ouch! HANS: I said let her go! (They fight.) LUCAS: Traitor! I cant believe I trusted you! SOPHIE: What are you talking about?

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

LUCAS: Dont act so innocent! You know perfectly well what Im talking about. The White Rose Papers, the janitor saw you and Hans. I didnt believe him, but you just proved its true. Why else would you both pointedly stay away from me, and not attend the rallies? It all makes since now. HANS: Lucas, think about what youre doing. LUCAS: Like you did? You didnt seem to think twice before you went and put everything on the line! (They continue to fight.) SOPHIE: Stop it! LUCAS: I thought I could count on you. I actually thought you were my friend. HANS: I am your friend! LUCAS (Hitting HANS in the jaw.): Shut up! This whole time you were laughing at me, lying to me. HANS: LucasLUCAS: Guards! (GESTAPO enter and start to take SOPHIE and HANS away.) SOPHIE: Lucas, you cant! LUCAS: You will both pay for what you did. SOPHIE (struggling): Lucas please, you dont want to do this. HANS (calmly/measured): Let it go Sophie. We have made our choice, and Lucas has made his. Es lebe die Freiheit. SOPHIE: Es lebe die Freiheit. Long live freedom (SOPHIE and HANS are walked downstage as if to their execution as LUCAS watches.) HANS: The real damage is always done by those millions who want to 'survive,' the honest men who just want to be left in peace, those who dont like to make wavesor enemies, and those who live small, and die small. Because if you keep it small, youll keep it u nder control, if you dont make any noise, then death wont find you. 13 | P a g e

Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom

SOPHIE: But its all an illusion, because they die too. Those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe! From what? Life is always on the edge of death. Narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues; and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I have chosen my own way to burn. Have you chosen yours? BLACKOUT

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Es lebe die Freiheit!

Long Live Freedom