Tour Diary # 1: Letters Home in Whitewater, WI

Backstage look at Griffin Theatre's "Letters Home" on tour at the University of Wisconsin @ Whitewater.

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Letters Home puts the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan front and center by bringing to life actual letters written by soldiers serving there. Although the title of the play implies that all the letters are from soldiers, we have also chosen to include a small number of correspondences from parents their hearts being just as much in this fight, as their sons and daughters go to war. The letters were written under the most difficult of circumstances: the disorientation of training, deployment, separation from family and loved ones, combat, and losing a friend. They also deal with themes of service to country and your fellow human being, patriotism, family, duty, honor, and faith. The production gives a voice to a generation that is now fighting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, revealing the humanity that lies within these wars as seen through the eyes of the men and women fighting it.

The production uses minimal props and set pieces to dramatize the letters, also employing images and video projected behind the actors as they perform the letters as dramatic monologues. The photos and video used in the production are taken directly from actual soldiers' blogs and websites such as MYSPACE and FACEBOOK. To enhance the theatrical experience, all performances are followed by a post-play discussion. Presenters may also request an in-school residency or workshops.

The song in this video is "Avalanche Patrol" by Astronautilus

Category:

Education

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