LWer’s granddaughter has a play in New York City

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Mutual 5 resident Anna Derby went to New York City to watch her granddaughter Rebekah Raphling’s play “Dry Fall,” which she wrote, directed and starred in.

It was a part of the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute classes she takes. Derby said it was a thrilling experience to watch her performance along with eight other cast members, with whom are mostly senior students, with are over 10 staff members to support the stage, set, design and graphics.

The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute is an acting school founded in 1969 by the actor, director, and acting teacher Lee Strasberg. The Institute is located in Union Square on East 15th Street, also known as Lee Strasberg Way, in New York City. The school has a secondary campus in Los Angeles.

Raphling is a sophomore in New York University, majoring in acting in the hopes of becoming a Broadway performer in the future. She attended Santa Monica junior and senior high school to experience many school dramas performed from small to medium to major roles.

From Thursday evening to Saturday—the last performance— Derbywatched the play three times to show Raphling support and enjoyed spending quality time to catch up after the shows. Derby realized during the trip that Raphling is becoming a mature young lady in New York, a confident individual who works hard to achieve her goals and dreams she’s had for a long time. Derby was so proud of her granddaughter and how she’s grown up and accomplished so much in just two years already.

Derby says she will go back to support Raphling when the next opportunity arises.

Anna Derby with her granddaughter in New York City.