The Project

Coping with tough drill sergeants, dealing with the horrors of war, and transitioning back into civilian life are some of the true-life stories veterans will reveal in a witness theater production being performed in February in Eugene. “Telling” is being presented by the University of Oregon’s Veterans and Family Student Association at the VMA Hall, 1626 Willamette St. The production, which is free for the public, is based upon the experiences and stories of Eugene/Springfield veterans and their families and is being performed by them. With the exception of two, the performers are all students at the University of Oregon. Telling will be presented on Feb. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. An open rehearsal for media is being held Jan. 26, at noon, at the VMA Hall.

“Telling is, at heart, an effort on the part of the veterans and their families to start a conversation with the community and help the public understand that, while military actions may have global implications, the military experience is essentially personal,” said Sean Jin, VFSA activities coordinator and a performer in the production. “Every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine traces their personal strength, best moments, and closest friends to their experiences in the military. Yet, every one of them says their time in the service was marked by hardships, challenges and absurdity. Even so, none have said they regret their decision to join the military and serve.”

The VFSA interviewed veterans, current military personnel and their family members from the Eugene/Springfield community. From those interviews authors Jonathan Wei and Max Rayneard wrote the script for Telling. Included in the performance are two brothers who joined the Marines and served in the Iraq War, a veteran of the first Gulf War, a military recruit who has yet to serve and the spouse of an Iraq War veteran. Many of the interviewees attended performance training with UO Theater Arts Department Head John Schmor. Rehearsals are currently underway in preparation for the February opening.

Photos by Lisa Forster