FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8, 2015
PLEASE CONTACT: Scott Letscher, Interim Communications Director 773-956-1815 / scott@erasingthedistance.org
Erasing the Distance continues 10th anniversary year: the remount of VETERANS VOICES, which explores mental health issues facing U.S. servicemen/women, veterans and their families. THREE NIGHTS ONLY! May 19, 20 & 21, 2015 at 7:30pm. Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N Ridge Ave, Chicago, IL. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at door, $10 students/seniors/groups. To purchase tickets, visit http://veteransvoices2015.brownpapertickets.com/. CHICAGO – Erasing the Distance (ETD) is proud to announce the second production of our 2015 season: VETERANS VOICES, directed by ETD Company Member Heather Bodie. Five storytellers - each with a unique perspective and voice - talk about the devastating and varied effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from military service. VETERANS VOICES May 19, 20 & 21 at 7:30pm Rivendell Theatre ~ 5779 N Ridge Ave ~ Chicago, IL Adapted & Devised by: Erica Aten, Heather Bodie*, Allie Cole, Esther Cynthia, Andrea Gaspar, Caroline Golko, Brighid O'Shaughnessy*, Julie Ritchey, Jana Ross, and Jennifer Welter Directed by: Heather Bodie* Performed by: Amy J. Carle+, Alice da Cunha, Jaclyn Hennell, Tom McElroy+, and Charles Stransky+ Stage Manager: Genevieve Garcia Lighting Designer: Diane Fairchild Sound Designer: Nick Selesky *ETD Company Member +Actors Equity Member
TICKETS: $15 in advance, $20 at door, $10 for students/seniors/groups of 10+. To purchase tickets, please visit http://veteransvoices2015.brownpapertickets.com/. For more information, email event@erasingthedistance.org.
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VETERANS VOICES made its world premiere at Filament Theatre in November 2013. Originally created with students from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TSCPP), this version of VETERANS VOICES will feature elements from the original show as well as new material. Each story featured in VETERANS VOICES was collected from real people via audio-recorded interviews. The stories were transcribed, edited and shaped into theatrical monologues, which are then performed by professional actors. The stories featured in VETERANS VOICES are: • Ashley (played by Jaclyn Hennell) loses 26 men in her unit during service in Iraq. She comes back punching holes in walls and recklessly driving her motorcycle before realizing that something is terribly wrong. • Paul (played by Tom McElroy) comes home from the Vietnam War and builds a fruitful corporate career. 30 years later as he retires from his job as President of Sears, his PTSD finally gets the better of him. • David (played by Charles Stransky) sees tremendous loss of those close to him during his time in Vietnam. He struggles to make sense of it all for almost 40 years, until the right therapist opens the door and David finally begins to get help. • Vanessa (played by Alice da Cunha) deals with her brother when he comes home with PTSD after his third tour in Afghanistan, and his struggle for support is blocked by bureaucratic red tape. • Emily (played by Amy J. Carle ) travels the world with the Navy and finds professional success over a decade of service, but is disturbed to witness abuses of power within the ranks. Personally devastated by the effects of Don't Ask Don't Tell, she ultimately leaves the military and uses art to ignite dialogue around her experiences. In addition to the three public performances at Rivendell Theatre, VETERANS VOICES is also touring to Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest, IL on May 29 as a fundraiser for Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation. Founded in 2005 by Brighid O’Shaughnessy, Erasing the Distance (ETD) uses the power of performance to disarm stigma, spark dialogue, educate, and promote healing surrounding issues of mental health. ETD collects true stories from people whose lives have been impacted by mental health issues. We sculpt the stories into theatrical pieces for the stage, which are then performed by professional actors. Every performance is followed by a moderated, interactive dialogue with the audience that addresses the themes they have just seen. This year marks ETD’s 10th anniversary. In the last ten years, ETD has reached over 50,000 audience members through public performances and touring and education programs. For more information about us, please visit www.erasingthedistance.org. ###