Jan Dussel
Mr. Dussel is a dentist who joins the Franks and the Van Daans in hiding about two months after they go into seclusion. He is a neighbor of Miep’s boyfriend, and when the Nazis start rounding up and deporting Jews, he has nowhere else to go. Initially meant to stay for just a few days, Mr. Dussel ends up living in the attic until the Gestapo arrests everyone.

In his fifties and set in his ways, Mr. Dussel is challenging to get along with. He struggles to adjust to the cramped living conditions shared by many people. He also incites worry, for example, by making everyone anxious that the thief might report them. Additionally, he makes his disdain for Anne evident. For instance, when Mr. Van Daan reacts to Anne’s nightmare screams by saying, ‘‘I thought someone was murdering her,’’ Mr. Dussel responds, ‘‘Unfortunately, no.’’

Anne Frank
Anne is thirteen years old when her family goes into hiding. She is an energetic, precocious, friendly, and talkative girl. In their life in Amsterdam, Anne had numerous friends at school, and now, feeling lonely in the attic, she turns to her diary as a confidante to share her thoughts. She writes about her family, her past, her feelings, and her hopes for the future.

Anne’s spirited nature and determination to be herself, rather than conform to others' expectations, pose a challenge. Mrs. Frank and the Van Daans believe she should behave more like a young lady, but Anne refuses to change her personality to suit their wishes. She rebels against societal restrictions and the values of an older generation. However, her imagination, enthusiasm, and strong will are sometimes greatly appreciated, such as when she makes Hanukkah presents for everyone.

Although outwardly carefree, Anne harbors many serious concerns. She worries about her relationship with her mother and her inability to control herself, especially when she acts hurtfully toward others. Another significant concern is her writing; she aspires to become a famous writer but is uncertain if her writing will be good enough to ‘‘go on living even after my death.’’ Anne also spends time reflecting on the events shaking the world. She is aware of the concentration camps but insists on believing that the world will improve someday. Her final words in the play are hopeful: ‘‘I think the world may be going through a phase, the way I was with Mother. It’ll pass, maybe not for hundreds of years, but someday…. I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart.’’ Anne dies in a concentration camp at the age of fifteen.

Edith Frank
Mrs. Frank is a reserved woman who believes her daughters should also be reserved. Her inability to understand Anne's personality prevents them from forming a lasting emotional bond. Despite this, she feels hurt by Anne’s constant rejection of her values and affection. Mrs. Frank often acts as a peacemaker in the attic, even suggesting that Anne give up her only friend, Peter, to placate Mrs. Van Daan. Although she rarely argues—Margot tells Anne, “She can’t talk back... It’s just not in her nature to fight back”—the night she catches Mr. Van Daan stealing food is her breaking point. She firmly demands that Mr. Van Daan leave the attic, but Miep's timely arrival with good news stops her from forcing him out. Tragically, Mrs. Frank dies in the concentration camps.

Margot Frank
Margot, Anne’s older sister, is eighteen when they first go into hiding. She is a reserved young woman and epitomizes a well-brought-up lady. Margot is obedient and respectful, diligently studying with her father and helping her mother with household chores. She even lends her high heels to her younger sister. Margot rarely voices disagreement, but she shocks her mother when she says, “Sometimes I wish the end would come... whatever it is.” Margot also perishes in the concentration camps.

Otto Frank
Mr. Frank and his family moved to Holland in the 1930s after Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany. He started an import business, which was confiscated when the Germans occupied Holland in 1940. As conditions worsened for Jews, Mr. Frank arranged for his family to hide in the attic above his former business. Out of gratitude for Mr. Van Daan’s help upon his arrival in Holland, he invited the Van Daans to join them.

Mr. Frank serves as the head of the "attic" family, openly sharing information about their safety with everyone. His calm demeanor and patience help him mediate conflicts within the household. As a loving and supportive father, he ensures the girls keep up with their studies and includes Peter in their lessons. He shares a particularly close bond with Anne, who confides in him about her fears and nightmares rather than turning to her mother.

Of the eight people hiding in the attic, only Mr. Frank survives the concentration camps. He returns to Amsterdam in November 1945, but the painful memories compel him to leave, though he is unsure where he will go next.

Miep Gies
Miep Gies, a Christian, is around twenty years old when the Franks go into hiding. She worked as a secretary in Mr. Frank’s business and, along with Mr. Kraler, becomes a crucial lifeline for the attic residents, providing them with food, essentials, and even luxuries like books. Miep is also the one who discovers and preserves Anne’s diary, which she later gives to Mr. Frank upon his return to Amsterdam.

Kraler
Mr. Kraler, a Dutchman, was an employee of Mr. Frank before the Nazis seized the business. Now, Mr. Kraler manages the business and bravely risks his life to assist his friend and former employer. Either he or Miep visits the attic daily to deliver food to the families. The pressure takes a toll on Mr. Kraler’s health; he is hospitalized for ulcers and eventually undergoes surgery.

Peter Van Daan
Peter Van Daan is about sixteen when the families go into hiding. He is a shy, socially awkward boy with an inferiority complex. His closest companion has been his cat, which he brings along to the attic. As he confides in Anne, he considers himself a ‘‘lone wolf.’’ Initially hostile towards Anne, Peter eventually recognizes her as a ‘‘fine person,’’ and they become close friends. With Anne, Peter feels comfortable sharing his innermost thoughts. Peter dies in the concentration camps.

Petronella Van Daan
Mrs. Van Daan is vain, flirtatious, and challenging to get along with. She places a high value on material possessions. According to her husband, her unwillingness to part with her belongings delayed their departure from Holland to resettle in Switzerland or America. In the attic, she is often seen caressing the fur coat her father gave her, which she treasures above all else. She becomes upset when her husband insists on selling the coat to buy food and other necessities and does not spare Anne’s feelings when the girl accidentally spills milk on it. Although Mrs. Van Daan and her husband frequently argue, she still looks out for him, such as by giving him the largest portions of food. Mrs. Van Daan dies in the concentration camps.

Putti Van Daan
Mr. Van Daan helped Mr. Frank when he first moved to Holland, which is why Mr. Frank invited the Van Daans to share their hiding place. However, Mr. Van Daan’s selfish nature causes issues in the attic. He opposes allowing Mr. Dussel to join them because it means less food for everyone. It is later revealed that Mr. Van Daan has been stealing food from the household. He is also openly critical of Anne, saying things like, ‘‘Why aren’t you nice and quiet like your sister Margot? Why do you have to show off all the time?’’ Mr. Van Daan dies in the concentration camps.