'The Veterans Project' storytelling performance comes to FilmBar


Veterans share stories.

In 2015, the Veterans Project included (left to right): US Air Force Veteran and ASU alum Cody Trimmell; US Navy Veteran Shantelle Reamer; US Army Veteran Matthew Nicholls; and US Air Force Veteran and ASU graduate student Jeramey Reamer. Photo by Erika Hughes/courtesy of the Herberger Institute

Veterans of the U.S. military will share personal stories of service and life after the military in "The Veterans Project," which will be presented at FilmBar in downtown Phoenix on Nov. 9. Currently in its fourth year, "The Veterans Project" is the product of an ongoing initiative at ASU to create space for veteran-civilian community dialogue. Five previous iterations have been performed in Tempe, Phoenix and Tucson since 2013.

The unscripted and uncensored performance aims to push against preconceived notions about who serves, and why. Jeramey Reamer, U.S. Air Force veteran and music director for "The Veterans Project," has experienced firsthand the ways in which “military veterans tend to get crammed into a very outdated and stereotypical mold. Many of us don't identify ourselves with the box that society thinks we fit in. That's exactly what makes ASU's "Veterans Project" so important; it sheds light on the issues that matter, and allows the veterans to express themselves as individuals.” 

The process of making the show entails a month-long workshop with local veterans, many of whom have never before performed onstage. Erika Hughes and Boyd Branch, assistant professors in ASU’s School of Film, Dance and Theatre and co-directors of the project, say they have greatly benefitted from their years of working within the Valley veteran community. These veterans-turned-performers, according to Hughes, “represent an incredible range of experiences and political viewpoints, and yet are all willing to share something of themselves with the community in which they live. We’re very grateful for their openness and willingness.”

The importance of sharing and hearing stories is underscored by "Veterans Project" alum Shantelle Reamer, who served in the Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She notes that “anyone born within the past 15 years has never known an America that is not at war. War has become such a common backdrop in our country that we often forget it is still happening. In one short hour, 'The Veterans Project' brings the realities of conflict into focus. Through a relevant and deeply human dialogue, a panel of veterans reveals the true nature of the military, war, and the search for inner peace.” 

Audiences are invited to join the conversation at FilmBar, 815 N 2nd St, Phoenix, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9. Admission: $5 or free for veterans. Tickets available at http://thefilmbarphx.com/.

More Arts, humanities and education

 

Two people seated at a table with a laptop talking.

ASU launches professional learning hub for educators

Among perhaps no other profession is the importance of continued education as well-understood as it is among educators themselves…

Shayla Dugan sitting at a desk writing on papers.

Social work alum's career inspired novel about family connections

Shayla Dugan says 2015 was “the year of suck.”“And I left my job in 2014,” she said, emphasizing how tough 2015 was in comparison…

Students drawing on a sign that says "We March 4 Equality"

Annual justice speaker series celebrates 20-year anniversary with Arizona Secretary of State as keynote speaker

Seeking Justice in Arizona, an annual speaker series hosted by Madelaine Adelman, a professor at Arizona State University's…