UMaine Humanities Center, Outside the Wire to present ‘Theater of War’
The University of Maine Humanities Center and several area sponsors will present a performance and audience discussion on the effects of war Nov. 12 in Bangor.
Outside the Wire, a social impact company, will perform “Theater of War” at the Bangor Opera House at 131 Main Street from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Theater of War” is an innovative public health project that presents readings of ancient Greek plays, Sophocles’ “Ajax” and “Philoctetes,” as a catalyst for town hall discussions about the challenges faced by service members, veterans, their families, caregivers and communities.
The organization uses the plays to forge a common vocabulary for openly discussing the visible and invisible wounds of war and to foster understanding and compassion while mobilizing citizens and resources to help improve the lives of those affected.
The reading will be followed by a talk with panelists from the community and an audience discussion.
The event will be directed and facilitated by Bryan Doerries, who also translated the script, and produced by Phyllis Kaufman. It will feature performances by Tate Donovan, a professional actor known for his roles in the Oscar-winning movie “Argo” and television series “Friends;” and Sally Wood, an actor, director and fight choreographer based in Portland.
Tickets are free, but seating is limited. Reserve tickets by emailing theaterofwar@penobscottheatre.org or calling the box office at 942.3333.
The performance is sponsored by the UMaine Humanities Center (UMHC) in partnership with the Maine Infantry Foundation, Maine Masonic College, Acadia Hospital and the Penobscot Theatre Company. Five additional UMaine departments and units, as well as other nonprofit organizations and individuals helped make the event open to the public at no charge.
The performance is one of several UMaine events to honor service members on Veterans Day and throughout the week.
A free bus will bring UMaine students between Orono and the Bangor Opera House for the performance. For more information about transportation, contact Liam Riordan, director of the UMHC, at riordan@umit.maine.edu or 581.1913.
Outside the Wire uses theater and a variety of other media to address pressing public health and social issues, such as combat-related psychological injury, end-of-life care, prison reform, political violence and torture, and the destigmatization of the treatment of substance abuse and addiction.
There have been more than 300 performances of “Theater of War” for military and civilian communities throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Over 60,000 service members, veterans and their families have attended and participated in “Theater of War” performances and discussions.
More information about Outside the Wire is available on the organization’s website and Facebook page or by contacting Lio Sigerson at 718.624.0351, lsigerson@theater-of-war.com.
Contact: Elyse Kahl, 581.3747