From Greek tragedies and Shakespearean plays to contemporary one-man shows, theatre has been an impactful medium for telling stories, expressing emotions, and reflecting on the cultural landscape of a given period. It is more than just entertainment; it is a way of working with our human experiences to create understanding and some therapeutic healing.

The Unmatched Power of Theatre: A Reflection of Ourselves

Theater can document the experience or speculate about the unseen aspects of humanity, which is something unique above other art forms. Unlike movies or TV, it is a live collective experience. It builds a sense of community from what happens on stage, the artist, and the audience sitting in the house. There is a vulnerability in the immediacy of the delivery that helps an audience to see their own lived experiences through the stories unfolding in front of them. As a mirror of society, theatre echoes our current values, good and bad. It addresses serious themes such as war and the human spirit in a remarkable way that reflects on us.

Theater as a Therapeutic Tool for Veterans

Theatre has always been great at building empathy and helping our veterans. It helps us see things differently in our world and ourselves that we would never have been able to see. Theatre allows us to process and express emotion verbally and takes us on an emotional ride that helps us have a conversation. More importantly, it bridges civilian and military communities and saves lives!

Theatre provides a platform for our veterans and military families to have a voice. I’m very proud that my play The American Soldier gives veterans an opportunity to begin some healing. Seeing their internal battles on stage lets them know that we have some idea of what they have been through for us and that we want to honor them.

Theatre plays an important part in the healing process, and the Q&A after every performance of The American Soldier allows them to share their story with us and feel a connection that is hard to get anywhere else. I always say that the Q&A after The American Soldier becomes the second act of the performance and, many times, becomes even more emotional than the first act.

Theatre can also help society understand post-traumatic stress disorder in a deeper way and give people a peek behind the curtain of war. So often, veterans tell me after my performance that the play validates what they are going through or have gone through. For many civilians, The American Soldier works hard to THANK YOU to our veterans and their families.

Conclusion

Theatre is more than an art form; it's a necessity. Its power mirrors society, building understanding and offering a space to express. Theatre is essential for healing and connection among veterans, giving them a space to share and see their stories.