A program to help better understand the after-effects of war will be presented by two widely known actors at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in Karl C. Bruder Theater in King Hall at Emporia State University.
“Theater of War: Soldiers & Citizens Tour” is presented nationwide by a troupe of actors who stage dramatic readings of Sophocles’ “Ajax.” The play, a Greek tragedy written around 450-430 B.C., recounts the suicide of the greatly respected warrior. It illustrates the historic and enduring correlation between war and the traumas it leaves in its wake.
The Emporia State Alumni Association is host for the event, which is open to the public at no charge. Because seating is limited, reservations may be made at www.TOWEmporia.eventbrite.com.
Featured in the local performance will be Chris Henry Coffey, whose credits include “Trust,” “The Good Wife” and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” and Jennifer Mudge, whose credits include “Boss,” “Rocky” and “Into the Woods."
In a letter of support, retired Brigadier General Roma Amundson praised “Theater of War” for its emotional impact as actors lead the audiences through the depression, anger, discouragement, hopelessness and sense of isolation that can lead to suicidal thoughts.
“Many times, while deployed, I believe that soldiers don’t recognize what’s happening to them, in them, and when they see the performers, they can ‘see’ within themselves what is going on,” Amundson said.
“Recognizing that these same emotions were portrayed in theater 2,500 years ago makes these current soldiers realize that they’re really not so different or strange. ... It’s a means of cleansing.”
Project organizers and sponsors intend to not only foster understanding of and compassion for service members, veterans and their families, but to mobilize citizens and resources to improve lives for those who are trying to cope with the visible and invisible wounds of war. Military and civilians will be able to participate in a panel discussion after the readings. Panelists include Master Sgt. Lyle Babcock, a veteran who has dealt with similar issues to the play; Sheri Hall, wife of Maj. Jeff Hall, who has spoken out about his experience with post-traumatic stress; Brian Muench, clinic-based services director for the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas; Dr. Damaris Paris, a counselor and ESU professor who has worked with veterans; and Richard Snook, a veteran who is also veteran representative for Southeast Kansas Works. Col. Howard Wheeler of Shawnee will provide introductory remarks.
Among the more than 100 actors who have participated in “Theater of War” are Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Giamatti, Martin Sheen, Jeffrey Wright, Amy Ryan, Charles S. Dutton and Jesse Eisenberg.
Artistic director for the project is Bryan Doerries of Outside the Wire production company; Phyllis Kaufman is the producer.
Doerries said that “Theater of War” had been featured on the PBS Newshour and on NPR, as well as in articles in The New York Times and Harper’s Magazine.
Coffey and Mudge will present selected readings that delve into the troubled existence of the warrior Ajax.
The tragedy opens with Ajax enraged because Achilles’ armor was awarded to Odysseus instead of to him. He vows to kill the Greek leaders who disgraced him, but is tricked by the goddess Athena into believing that sheep and cattle are the Greek leaders. He slaughters some of the sheep and takes others back to his home to torture, including a ram that he believes to be Odysseus.
After realizing and agonizing over what he has done, he becomes distraught that he has been fooled by the goddess. He believes that other Greek warriors are laughing at him and contemplates suicide because of his shame.
Despite his concubine’s pleas not to leave her and her child unprotected, Ajax gives his son his shield and leaves the house, saying he is going out to purify himself and to bury the sword given to him by Hector.
Ultimately his concubine and soldiers try to find Ajax but are too late. Ajax already has buried the sword with the blade sticking out of the ground, and has impaled himself on it.
The company and its partners in the project — Massachusetts General Hospital Academy, the National Council for Behavioral Health and Community Blueprint, a Points of Light initiative — received a two-year grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation to present “Theater of War” to National Guard and Reserve units and their communities across the United States. Community engagement can continue after the presentation through a mobile app and Google Hangouts On Air.
Co-sponsors for the Emporia program, in addition to Emporia State, are Kansas State University Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families and K-State Research and Extension.
Outside the Wire is a social impact company that uses theater and other media to help communities address combat-related psychological injury, suicide, end-of-life care, prison reform, domestic violence and other pressing public health and social issues. For more information, visit www.outsidethewirellc.com or www.facebook.com/TheaterOfWar.