GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRESENTS
BEYOND THE BARRACKS
AN EVENING OF VETERAN CULTURAL IDENTITY
MONOLOGUES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025
WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Welcome to the Gil Cates Theater for the culminating performance of the 2025 Geffen Playhouse Veterans Workshop.
This summer nine unique and talented Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces have come together to give voice to their stories. Guided by Geffen Playhouse Teaching Artists, this ensemble has used writing and performance to explore their lived experiences. Along the way, they engaged in deep reflection, cultivated a sense of empowerment, and built meaningful connections with one another. Each original monologue you will hear tonight was written by the performer, and is inspired by an object that holds personal significance and reveals something essential about their journey.
Beginning in 2014, Jennifer Zakkai, former Education Director, and April Fitzsimmons, an Air Force Veteran and artist, created the Geffen Playhouse’s Veterans Workshop to amplify the voices of U.S. Veterans through storytelling and performance. We would like to thank Jen, April, the generous support of the NEA: Creative Forces Initiative and The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation, and all of the previous program participants for laying the foundation upon which this year’s work is built.
On behalf of all of us at Geffen Playhouse, we thank you for supporting this year’s remarkable cohort. Tonight, these artists take the stage and invite you to witness the result of their transformative journey together. These powerful stories are shaped by experiences both during and beyond their time in uniform. Please enjoy this evening of what happens Beyond the Barracks.
Brian Allman Director of Education & Community Engagement
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRESENTS
BEYOND THE BARRACKS
An evening of monologues written and performed by local military veterans.
THE MONOLOGUES (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
“THIS ISN’T HAPPENING TO ME”
“BUTTER AND EGGS”
“HOMESICK”
“COPPER COLLAR TALE”
“THE ONCE AND NEVER KING”
“THE DOLL HOUSE”
“COMING HOME TO SRIRACHA”
“PERCEPTION IS NOT REALITY”
“SETTLERS OF THE CORPS”
PAULA JO WOLD
MICAH TERESA COATE
JONATHAN GALEANO GONZALEZ
ROBERT T KELLY JR
TONY LUGO
VANESSA BRADCHULIS
TONY NGUYEN
GLORIA GOLDMAN
NICK LANNAN
The Ensemble sends a huge shout-out to Macor T’Lanci, our esteemed fellow workshop participant.
THE ENSEMBLE (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
VANESSA BRADCHULIS (she/her)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Army
Vanessa Bradchulis is a U.S. Army veteran, an award-winning photographer, and a professional actor, appearing at Theatre J, Constellation Theatre Company, American Century Theater, and Annapolis Shakespeare Company (Washington, D.C.); and in The Farley Family Reunion (World Tour). Source Festival performances include Running in Circles Screaming (original cast). She served as a Combat Medic in Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Washington, D.C., and as her Batallion’s B.O.S.S. representative (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) creating special events to keep morale high for soldiers living barracks life. She is honored and grateful to be joining the 2025 Geffen Playhouse Veterans Workshop. IG @vanessabradchulis
MICAH TERESA COATE (she/her)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Air Force Reserve
Micah Teresa Coate is a SAG-AFTRA actor and director who moonlights as a photojournalist in the Air Force Reserve. She hails from Petaluma, CA and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a degree that has nothing to do with acting. If she could steal any actress’ career (and husband) it would be Emily Blunt’s. Her
only really special skill is that she can name all of the American presidents in sequential order thanks to a song she had to memorize in her 7th grade history class. IG: @micahcoate Website: www.micahteresacoate.myportfolio.com
GOLDMAN (she/her)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Army
Gloria Goldman is a U.S. Active Duty Army veteran, and a professional actor in Los Angeles, CA. She has worked on multiple short film, TV, and feature film projects. When not acting... You can find Gloria out hiking with her dog, or spending time with family and friends. She loves meeting new people, a crisp glass of champagne (because why not celebrate the little things more) health & fitness, and testing out new restaurantst. She is currently studying at Lesly Kahn and Co. IG: @gloriaagoldman
JONATHAN GONZALEZ (he/him)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Army
Jonathan Galeano Gonzalez is a U.S. Army veteran, a comedian, actor and fledgling philanthropist. He produces a non-profit comedy show called Humor for the Hungry, where 100% of the money raised is used to feed and clothe the unhoused of Los Angeles. He also co-owns a theater that aims to provide opportunities for individuals that are looking to develop as artists, called “Best Comedy Club Near Me Theater.”
GLORIA
ROBERT T KELLY JR (he/him)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Robert T Kelly Jr. is a US Navy Veteran, an actor and writer appearing in the movie Another Time, and the TV Show Missing/ Reward. He worked with the BBC, NPS, & the NPS submerged Cultural Resources Unit for short film & booklet for “Project Seamark”, the first set of underwater archeological surveys of the USS Arizona BB39 & USS Utah BB-31 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The next year he performed archeological surveys again in Apra harbor, Guam. Robert did underwater surveys of Kizugawa Maru (WW II Japanese water tanker) and WW I German cruiser SMS Cormoran. The year after, he dove in Pulau searching for plane wreckage and dog tags of missing airmen. IG: @deepseakelly
NICK LANNAN (he/him)
Performer, Writer
U.S Marines
Nick Lannan is a U.S. Marine veteran, actor, improviser, and storyteller. He just appeared in USC’s staged reading of I Think There’s Something Wrong with Me by Eliza Jaye Kuperschmid, and recently appeared in the sketch series Between Shadows. Nick is in preproduction for a short film he wrote and will act in, The French Press, and is currently in the Lab Track at Groundlings. IG: @NickLannanActor Website: www.nicklannan.com
TONY LUGO (he/him)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Marine Corps
A Tony Lugo is a writer, filmmaker, and Marine Corps veteran whose work explores the emotional fault lines between love and loss, memory and myth, masculinity and vulnerability. A graduate of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, he studied screenwriting at UCLA, has written and directed award-winning films, and published multiple poetry collections. He collaborates with Wild7 Films on a range of projects and is currently developing his debut novel. His stories walk the line between grit and grace, always reaching for the kind of truth that hurts a little, but in the best way. IG: @_lugotron
TONY NGUYEN (he/him)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Army
Tony Nguyen is a professional actor, writer, and Army Ranger. Since graduating from West Point he deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then trained in the Meisner method at Baron Brown Studios and improv at Upright Citizens Brigade, as well as practices Lessac Kinesensics and the Alexander technique. You can follow his antics on IG: @ayitsmetony.
PAULA JO WOLD (she/her)
Performer, Writer
U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Paula’s varied career in the Navy included flying as an avionics technician on the P3-C Orion anti-submarine warfare platform, and an intelligence specialist. She is the first female combat aircrewman in the Navy and was designated the Command Leading Chief Petty Officer on her last tour. Both during the Navy and in civil service, Paula worked as a certified substance abuse counselor and clinical supervisor, instructor for Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor School (NDACS) and as a mental health therapist. She received her BA in Psychology, magna cum laude, from Chaminade University of Honolulu while on active duty and received her MSW, with honors from USC. Prior to her military service, she managed the executive dining facilities for Times Mirror and the Los Angeles Times Since her retirement in 2022, Paula has been facilitating a group of combat medics with PTSD, remodeling her forever home, and is in the beginning stages of writing a musical. Additionally, she is a breast cancer survivor.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
BRIAN ALLMAN (he/him)
Co-Director
Brian Allman is the Director of Education & Community Engagement for Geffen Playhouse. Brian has worked extensively in the field of Arts Education for the last three decades, presenting at the NEA in Washington, D.C. last year advocating for the Los Angeles Veterans Community. He served as Artistic Director for the award-winning Defiance Theater Company and has taught, performed or directed for Playboy, NBC, Minecraft, Coca-Cola, MLB (Brewers), UCLA, ComedySportz, and Universal Studios. In 2016, Brian was elected to the North Hollywood Neighborhood Council, serving as Secretary and Chair of the Arts & Cultures Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California.
SEAN MICHAEL BOOZER (he/him)
Co-Director & Teaching Artist
Sean Michael Boozer is actor, writer, director, improviser, Second City Directing Program Graduate. Directed shows at USC School of Dramatic Arts, Second City, iOWest, The Pack, UCB, Ruskin Theatre, Co-Created/ Wrote/Produced Squatters sizzle , had longrunning MainStage shows at The Second City, iOWest. Film/TV credits include The Dropout, The Politician, Station 19, Teachers, Dr. Dre’s AppleTV pilot Vital Signs, Jimmy Kimmel Live,
BIOGRAPHIES
The Shield, General Hospital and Super Legit Podcast. Currently Directing at Company of Angels, Pack Theatre, SAG Conservatory and as a Teaching Artist at The Geffen Playhouse, SMB is honored to be invited back for his 4th year as Geffen’s Veterans Show Co-Director.
AJA HOUSTON (she/her)
Co-Director & Teaching Artist
Due to an army brat adjacent childhood, Aja is a nomadic writer from Everywhere, USA. She creates with passion, politics, and magic to boldly build off-kilter, uncanny worlds to tell monolith-breaking Black stories. Starting her career as an actress in London, Aja moved to LA, where she earned her MFA in Dramatic Writing from USC. Her plays have been developed at The Road Theatre, Antaeus Theatre Company, and Ammunition Theatre Company. Missing Rhythms, a short film she wrote and starred in, is a Nevada Women’s Film Festival 2025 official selection. It’s nominated for Best Short Drama and Best Female Protagonist. ajahouston.com
BJ LANGE (he/him)
Co-Director & Teaching Artist
U.S. Air Force Medic (Ret.)
BJ is a native of St. Louis and has been seen on General Hospital, The Rookie, The Prank Panel, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He is a graduate of The Second City conservatory, where he is now an instructor. A believer in the strength of “yes, and”, BJ is also an alumnus of iO West and
UCBTLA, and a member of Warriors for Peace Theatre – a veteran Shakespeare Company. Now in his fourth year, and former comedy coach for AFW2, he’s honored to return to this important project and continue showcasing how theater arts can be a powerful tool for servicemembers and veterans. Watch BJ follow his dreams with his cat at BJLange.com @bjcomedy watch BJ follow his dreams at BJLange.com.
GREG MUELLER (they/them) Stage Manager
Greg is a civilian with family ties to both the Army and Marines. Trained in stage management and theatrical carpentry, they are currently working as Stage Ops at Geffen Playhouse. Their favorite theatre credits include Titus Andronicus as the assistant stage manager, The Hope Theory as the stage supervisor, and a community theatre production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a member of the chorus. They are honored to be working on Beyond the Barracks for a third consecutive year and looks forward to continuing this meaningful work in the future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THE VETERANS WRITING & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP IS FUNDED IN PART BY:
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE ALSO DEEPLY APPRECIATES THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT OF:
Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors
Adi Greenberg Board Chair
Tarell Alvin McCraney Artistic Director Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director / CEO
Amy Levinson Associate Artistic Director
Sarah Weinberg Chief Development Officer
Sarah Sturdivant Chief Financial Officer
Special thanks to Jeni Pearsons, Brian Dunning, Mel Yonzon & Front of House Staff, Elizabeth Kegley, Geffen Marketing Dept., Rob Mersola, Chloe Shi, Dionn Richardson, Lexy McAvinchey, Geffen Playhouse Box Office, Zack Hamra, Alyssa Tyson, Veterans in Media & Entertainment), and Chaplain DOV Cohen - Chairman of the Board, Los Angeles National Cemetery Foundation.
We would also like to thank the entire Geffen Playhouse staff for their help and hard work
PROJECT & PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Brian Allman Director of Education & Community Engagement
BJ Lange Teaching Artist
Sean Michael Boozer Teaching Artist
Aja Houston Teaching Artist
Greg Mueller Stage Manager
Lisa Toudic Production Assistant
Matt Sweeney Director of Production
Melissa Hartman Technical Director
Liz Brohm Hanrahan Associate Production Manager
Spencer Doughtie Lighting & Projection Designer
Spencer Doughtie Lighting Programmer & Lightboard Operator
James Grabowski
House Sound Supervisor/Microphone Technician
Bob Gilmartin Audio Mixer
Rich Gilles Properties Master & Set Decorator
Isaak Berliner Photographer
Jeff Lorch Photographer
Ramon Garcia Videographer
Mark J Chaitin Program and Photographer
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