
Protective Custody PRISONER 34042 is a raw and impactful play written by Charles LaBorde and based on the memoir of well-known Charlotte Holocaust survivor Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz.
Protective Custody PRISONER 34042 brings the audience along on Susan’s personal experiences as a young woman in Europe during the rise of Nazism and her riveting survival of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps. A universal story of survival and the strength of the human spirit in the most extreme circumstances, the story is told beautifully by a two-person cast as they bring Susan’s experience to life and reflect on the current rise of antisemitism.
The world premiere of Protective Custody PRISONER 34042 was presented in November 2019 by Three Bone Theatre under the direction of famed Charlotte director Dennis Delamar. The original run sold out and left audiences inspired and moved.
In 2021, the original creative team returned to the theatre to capture the magic of this story on camera. This new version, professionally-filmed by Will Jenkins and the team at SimplisticPhobia, brings the magic of the theatre experience into your home or classroom.
Protective Custody PRISONER 34042 is sponsored by Culture Blocks- a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County.
The original production of Protective Custody PRISONER 34042 was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Watch the Film
The free livestreaming event is now over. If you are interested in renting the film for home viewing, or to share with a group or class, please e-mail us at info@threebonetheatre.com for more information.
Educational Resources
Susan was an educator and felt strongly that her story should be used to teach the community about the Holocaust and the dangers of bigotry, antisemitism and the fragility of democracy.
We have partnered with the Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice to provide additional information about Susan's experience and the Holocaust. Download the study guide for additional historical context, definitions, reflection questions and optional assignments.
Community Conversations
In April 2021 we hosted two live virtual events to learn more about this project and Susan's life. You can register to watch the replay of the events below.
Virtual Message Board
We want to hear how Protective Custody PRISONER 34042 impacted you. Please share your thoughts and reactions on our virtual message board. Not sure how to put your thoughts into words? Upload a photo, draw a picture or even share a video. Tell or show us how Susan's story is relevant to YOU.
Meet the cast and creative team
