FIT FOR SOCIETY Package - Veterans Center for the Performing Arts

Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
A Four Person Show that unites military veterans and the local
community.
PERFECT FOR
o
o
o
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Veterans’ Day
Memorial Day
Welcome Home Events
Uniting Veterans & Civilians
Available for touring NATIONWIDE
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
Written by
Brian Monahan & Stephan Wolfert
Directed by
Stephan Wolfert, the military director of the Tony-Award-Winning Broadway Production Movin’ Out!
FIT FOR SOCIETY is a compelling, unflinching, live presentation of the trials and
anecdotes of the military experience during a time of war. Honest, funny, moving,
poignant and awe-inspiring, FIT FOR SOCIETY is told from the perspective of actual
soldiers, survivors and family members. Experience these actual stories presented without
pity, apology or political agenda.
In a 65 minute presentation, you will meet:
Drill Sergeant Hill: The consummate military mentor. In spite of a cleft palate,
he excels to epitomize what inspires men and women to become great soldiers.
Colonel “Gump” Gaines: The seasoned, weathered professional, career military
officer. Underspoken, even though he has seen it all, from the fall of communism to the
expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait; but all anyone ever wants to know is if he’s ever
killed anybody.
Lance Corporal Wheeler: A young Marine who lost both legs from an I.E.D. in
Iraq. His injuries are so new that he avoids his situation by making people laugh.
The Army Combat Veteran: The saying is “bad civilian, good soldier”. This
man’s gift is combat. He is just a man who doesn’t fit in the civilian world and is very
good at war.
Female Air Force Officer: Women have the “double whammy” of dealing with
all that comes with combat regardless of gender, AND all that comes with being a woman
in command of men in combat.
Male Spouse: It’s been said that behind every good man is a great woman, so it
stands to reason that behind every good soldier there’s a great civilian. It’s hard enough
to be a spouse—but try being the male spouse to a female Marine.
Navy Submariner: Before there was e-mail and video conferencing soldiers and
loved ones shared their lost time with letters and tapes.
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
FIT FOR SOCIETY is one of the signature pieces for the VETERANS CENTER FOR THE
PERFORMING ARTS because it addresses the big question: “NOW WHAT?” I know first hand that the
transition from military service to civilian is a life-long process. It is my opinion that the civilian holds at
least 50% of the responsibility in that transition. The VCPA unite the military veteran and civilian
community by developing and producing veterans’ original works in the fine, visual and performing arts
and further, sharing those works with those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to share in the
military experience.
It is in this spirit that the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA) was born. Please join me in
celebrating our veterans by attending our upcoming events at the VCPA.
Thank you for your support,
Stephan Wolfert, Founding Director
To provide an arena to celebrate the military veteran by producing their original works
for the stage. In so doing, The Veterans Center for the Performing Arts seeks to share its
creations with persons who otherwise might not have occasion to understand the military
experience.
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
What people are saying about
FIT FOR SOCIETY:
I want to again loudly sing my praise for your amazing piece of work. Thank you for
your service!
--Deborah Dean is a writer for daytime television
... absolutely excellent, very moving, pertinent... what else can I
say? Wonderful. I can't recommend this show too
highly. I have to admit I didn't want to go. I find it difficult
to go see theatre in L.A. or to recommend anyone going and I
know that is heresy from someone who has been in the theatre
as long as I have. There have just been way too many
disappointments and embarassments - this is not one of them.
So, go see it!!
--Patrick Gorman, long time television actor and on the academy of motion picture
sciences
“I didn’t know what to expect…and I was blown away!”
--Daniel Kucan, HGTV host
“I can’t stand war or any of that, but this was amazing!”
--Phoebe, audience member
“There’s something for everybody, military or not. You had everyone covered.”
--Anonymous audience member
“It trandscends “pro” or “anti” and taps into the human. Vet, civilian or whatever this is
an experience!”
--Karen Harris, Emmie Award Winning T.V. writer
Fit For Society is on NBC!
http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=232817
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
LOGISTICS
FIT FOR SOCIETY is a touring show that travels with 4 performers, 1 Production
Manager, set, costumes and props. Running time is 65 minutes plus an optional, post
show discussion. It can be performed in a range of venues.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
FIT FOR SOCIETY is a dramatic presentation and is ideally performed in a theatre.
However, with the adaptability of the set and the flexibility of our crew, it can be
performed virtually anywhere. Below is a guideline of technical needs, which our
Production Manager can easily reconfigure to your specific venue capabilities.
Space requirement: 30ft wide, 20 fit deep, 11 ft high
CD Player with house system, (or i-pod input) (or portable PA)
2-4 Volunteers at set-up
Quick change room adjacent to stage area
Set-up time of 4 hours or more prior to curtain
For Theatrical venues with a crew:
1-2 stage crew at set-up and performance
Sound Board Operator
Lighting Board Operator
-Basic lighting plot available prior to arrival
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Q:
A:
Is it just for military veterans?
Absolutely not. The “voice” is veterans; that is, the creations are
generated by military veterans in order to give voice to the veteran’s
experience. But then, since an important part of the mission of the
V.C.P.A. is to re-integrate military and civilian, the “new works” are
then further developed and produced by both military and civilian.
Q:
A:
Is the only topic war? Is it pro-war or anti-war?
No. There is no requirement for subject matter. Veterans may create
on any topic they so desire. For example we have several plays
written by veterans that range in subject matter from an Australian
Aboriginal experience the Vietnam War, to another veteran’s play
which is a musical about bugs.
Q:
A:
Is it all “Victim Art” or Political Art?
Of course not. Again, we have no pre-ordained agenda for subject
matter. Certainly some material will include voices of victims;
however, we always strive towards our motto: “No pity. No apology.
No Political Agenda.”
Q:
A:
Is everyone in the organization a vet?
We strive for the new works to be GENERATED by veterans.
However, within the organization there is no requirement of military
service. For a number of reasons. We bring professionals from
appropriate fields to integrate the experience. For example, a veteran
writes a play, we will develop that play with professional actors,
directors, dramaturges, etc. and they may be from any background.
This is for integration… We also understand that along with the
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
veteran’s voice is the family of the veteran, opening this dialogue is
essential…
Our mission is to give voice to veterans' stories, but also to provide
those voices with an audience. So at every level we seek to integrate
veterans: with other veterans, with families of veterans, with civilians.
Similarly our organization comprises people from many backgrounds
dedicated to helping veterans tell their stories. It would not be
consistent with our goals to create an isolated veterans-only group.
Instead, we seek to integrate all who support the expression of the
veteran experience through art. We encourage the supporter, the
listener, the family member, and every one of us who has benefited
from the service of those who have been in the military to participate
in the sharing of veteran voices.
Q:
A:
Is this all about the war in Iraq/Afghanistan?
Definitely NOT. We include ALL military veterans! Regardless of
when and where they served. From the last surviving grunt from WWI
to the National Guard, water purification specialist, we want them all.
Q:
A:
Is your organization a therapy program?
We are not a therapy program. Yet, it IS therapeutic.
A key facet of our mission is to include the audience--a voice must be
heard, so we view the audience to be equally as important as the artist.
We seek to present works that are meaningful, thought provoking and
entertaining to those who share the experience. Art as therapy has a
reputation of being only for the artist, and that is not what we do. We
believe that helping veterans express themselves in a way that reaches
an audience can be therapeutic--for both the veteran and the audience.
Q:
I know/am related to a vet, what should I tell them about your
program?
Tell them to contact us, or visit our website or come to one of our
functions. Or contact us yourself, and we may be able to contact your
person of interest. Part of our program includes community outreach
where we go out and interview veterans.
A:
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
Q:
A:
So, your organization is helping homeless veterans?
Our mission is to provide a voice to all veterans through artistic
expression. Although we believe all vets need that expression,
homeless veterans represent a small percentage of all veterans and
there are other organizations dedicated specifically to the needs of the
homeless who have served.
Q:
I’m not a veteran, what can I do?
Plenty. We seek to bring together veterans and non-veterans in an
environment that supports creative and artistic expression. We have
many needs for help accomplishing that mission.
Q:
A:
I didn't/don't support the war(s). Am I welcome?
We feel strongly that you can support the soldier regardless of how
you feel about the conflict. We also understand that many people feel
conflicted about these issues and are struggling to sort out their
feelings. It is our hope that exploring these questions through artistic
expression and building community will benefit both the veteran and
the non-veteran.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
–Albert Einstein
“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
–Pablo Picasso
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org
Soldiers are trained to be fit for Military Service, but they are not trained to be…
FIT FOR SOCIETY
“All good things…come by grace and grace comes by art
and art does not come easy.” –Norman Maclean
“Every day millions of dollars are invested in venture capital in this country. We believe that supporting
art at the moment of creation is a similar investment, spurring vital innovations in culture.”
Katharine DeShaw, Executive Director, United States Artists
“The most critical issue facing the arts community…is retaining and fostering the arts and culture in light
of increasing real estate pressures. The need for affordable housing, art studios, as well as performing
venues, is critical to the survival of the arts (in the community).”
City of Santa Monica Opportunities and Challenges Report (2005)
Sample letter:
Dear Friends,
For many of us, Veterans’ Day/Memorial Day means much more than the role of white
clothes in our wardrobe. It is a time of remembrance, an opportunity for reflection and
appreciation for the sacrifice that so many veterans have made in the service of their
country. It is also a time to look around us and examine what we can do now, what we
can do today to honor those that have gone before and to support and give a voice and
hope to those who remain.
It is in this spirit that we present: FIT FOR SOCIETY.
Mark your calendar for _________, as the VCPA begins to bring together and give voice
to the talents and hopes of our veterans.
Presented by the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA)
323-533-2847
[email protected]
www.govcpa.com
www.veteranvoices.org