NMCSD Hosts Theater of War to assist Military and Family members address the Psychological Impact of War

Photo By Todd Hack | Naval Medical Center San Diego hosts “Theater of War” where actor Reg E. Cathey reads from the play Ajax to an audience of more than 150 military and family members. Theater of War presents readings of Sophocles' Ajax and Philoctetes to military communities across the United States with the goal of reducing the stigma of psychological injury and creating a safe environment for dialogue among combat service members, veterans, families, staff and mental health providers.  

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

09.20.2010

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Todd Hack 

Naval Medical Center San Diego

SAN DIEGO - Naval Medical Center San Diego hosted the 114th performance of “Theater of War” - a dramatic reading of two ancient Greek plays followed by a town hall discussion about the challenges faced by combat service members and veterans today - for approximately 150 members of the NMCSD community Sept. 20.

A project of the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, “Theater of War” is conducting performances and town hall meetings in military communities across the nation in an effort to reduce stigma and encourage service members to seek needed assistance for psychological health concerns.

“No one returns from combat without being affected. War can expose many of our staff and patients to horrific things, but this is a safe place to talk about it, seek care, and start to heal,” said Commander, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Rear Adm. C. Forrest Faison III, after welcoming Bryan Doerries and the cast of the Theater of War.

The production began with a performance from professional actors, who read a modern translation of two plays written by Sophocles, a Greek general officer and renowned playwright from 400 B.C.

Cast members participating in the performance the plays, included Reg E. Cathey, Josh Hamilton, Erica Tazel and Frank Harts.

“Ajax” tells the story of a Trojan War hero who is driven to madness by the same habits that made him a legend on the battlefield. “Philoctetes” is about a warrior whose men abandon him on an island because of an injury.

The follow-on town-hall session started with comments from a panel of members who respond without prepared or rehearsed remarks about what they saw and heard in the plays that connected with their own experiences at war and at home.

The panel featured Capt. Paul Hammer, director, Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control, Lisa Marcolongo, a Marine Corps spouse, Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. David Rhode, a Purple Heart recipient and Jack Lyons, a Vietnam veteran, who offered their personal insights on deployment and reintegration into society, which helped facilitate audience discussion.

“One of the things I got from the plays was when the character Tecmessa (Ajax’s wife), asked for help from Ajax’s friends and comrades,” said Marcolongo. “After my husband’s second deployment to Iraq his buddies traveled from all over to be with us in Texas and help him.”

Doerries, the New York based writer, translator, director, educator and founder of Theater of War remarked, “These events offer powerful opportunities for the audience to safely discuss and constructively reflect on physical and emotional injury, death and life-threatening experiences; stigma, grief and loss, supportive relationships and the timeless relevance of these lessons in prolonged combat.”

Working with producing partner Phyllis Kaufman, Doerries has been presenting readings of his translations to military communities since 2008.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2010
• Date Posted: 09.24.2010 17:38
• Story ID: 56942
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US