Domestic violence play debuts in N.C.

Photo By Sgt. Jessica Kuhn | Norman Ricks, left, performs with Carolyn Herring Moore, center, during the play "Women Shoptalk While Real Men Wait," a dramatic story about real life situations with an emphasis on abuse, at the Seabrook Auditorium on the Fayetteville State University campus in Fayetteville, N.C., Oct. 31. Moore, a domestic violence survivor, relived her story of abuse while sharing the play she wrote, directed and acted in. "She lives each scene on that stage," said Terry Woods, an actor in the play. "You can see the emotions as the pages turn because when she is up there, she's living in that moment."  

10.31.2009

Story by Spc. Jessica Kuhn 

49th Public Affairs Detachment   

As the month of domestic violence awareness came to an end, the play "Women Shoptalk While Real Men Wait," a dramatic story about real life situations with an emphasis on abuse, made its Fayetteville, N.C., debut at the Seabrook Auditorium on the Fayetteville State University campus Oct. 31.

Domestic violence survivor, Carolyn Herring Moore, relived her story of abuse while sharing the play she wrote, directed and acted in.

"She lives each scene on that stage," said Terry Woods, an actor in the play. "You can see the emotions as the pages turn because when she is up there, she's living in that moment."

Moore's story began when she reached out her hand to a stranger in need. It was that stranger who would turn her into a victim of domestic violence.

"I was married to him for over 10 years; I can't remember how many times there were encounters of abuse," an emotional Moore remembered.

From physical to mental abuse, Moore, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., never lost hope and eventually decided "enough is enough" breaking free from a life of abuse, she explained.

After that, she decided to use her personal story as a play in an effort to reach out to all those suffering from domestic violence, Moore explained.

"If you are currently in an abusive situation, there is hope for you," said Letra Davis, an actress in the play. "There is a way out. There are resources and people here to help you."

Woods, a combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, stressed the need for domestic violence awareness in the military community.

"I know how traumatic episodes happen when we're down range," Woods, a native of Monument, Colo., said. "Most family members don't know what we do when we're deployed so when we come back sometimes we see our family as the enemy because they don't know us anymore."

For Woods, taking a break and reconnecting with his family, realizing they weren't the enemy and remembering how they are his safe haven always helped any violent tendencies he was suffering from.

"How can you be a good husband, boyfriend etcetera when you have all this other baggage going on?" Woods asked. "Once you can cleanse yourself of all that anger, it will make you a better person all around."

Davis, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., also sees the necessity for the military to have as much knowledge as they can about domestic violence awareness.

"I think it's pertinent that people realize something changes in Soldiers when they are deployed," Davis said. "They are struggling and need help but they don't know how to get it; this play helps educate and show there are ways to get help."

In the future, Moore has dreams of seeing the play reach an international audience as well as an adaption into a movie on the big screen helping spread her story of overcoming domestic abuse.

"My play "Women Shoptalk While Real Men Wait" is my triumph!" Moore exclaimed. "It is my life after abuse!"

For any Soldiers or family members, who are victims of domestic violence, call [phone] to contact a Victim Advocate or contact the Domestic Violence Hotline (24 hours a day) [phone].

• Date Taken: 10.31.2009
• Date Posted: 11.09.2009 16:31
• Story ID: 41323