James Tasse, senior lecturer, and William Watson, associate professor in the Peck School of the Arts theatre department, host the first-ever National Veterans Theatre Festival May 23-26 at the Milwaukee Rep’s Stiemke Studio.
Organized through their nonprofit arts organization Feast of Crispian, the festival will offer Milwaukee veteran and civilian audiences a chance to see performances by a wide array of veteran actors and artists exploring issues of race, returning home and processing their military experiences.
“From initiating and fostering our relationship with Shakespeare & Company, to being hosts of our first production to introducing us to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents,” Tasse said, “UWM, the Peck School of the Arts and the department of theatre have been elemental to our growth.
“We look forward to continued engagement and opportunities.”
Theater companies from around the country will stage five productions, described by organizers as “veteran acted, veteran stories.” Productions range from 60 to 90 minutes, and each one concludes with an audience talkback. To learn more about this inaugural festival, or to purchase tickets for any of the performances listed below, visit the festival’s online box office.
- “De-Cruit: Cry Havoc,” with Stephan Wolfert
- “Amal,” presented by The Combat Hippies
- “She Went to War,” presented by The Telling Project
- “Color of Courage,” presented Mitchell Capel and Sonny Kelly
- “And Comes Safe Home,” presented by Feast of Crispian
