Theatre Development Fund – TDF: James Faulkner recalls his wife and daughter going to the theatre, but the Korean War veteran admits he didn't join in. "I never did go with them there, or to the Statue of Liberty or, you know, a lot of places," he says, explaining his experience as a prisoner of war left him a bit introverted. "My wife was a big talker, not me."
8 comments:
This is really sweet. It is nice to see that these veterans are being taken care of and being introduced to the arts. It might seem a little “heart felt”, but I truly still do believe that theatre can have a lasting impact on people and can have the power to change. Towards the end of the article, it says that all three men agreed that “If TDF didn't take me, I probably never would go….” This truly makes me wonder if there were more programs like this within the United States of America, if we would have a larger appreciation for the arts. Maybe if there was more funding to the arts, people would see it as a viable career choice too. Everyone wants a stable income, right? I think programs like this are great ways to bring in the people who probably would never go see a play or musical on their own.
Being a theater person and living with similar theater people, I can really see the effect that theater has compared to any other art form. it really demands that you are active and engaged, people tend to fall asleep less in theater (not saying that they don't). Whenever I watch a movie at home, its sort of a background thing, I do news page comments, play candy crush, nap, etc. but at the theater I'm fully engaged sometimes. For veterans, to throw themselves into a story, when they have so much that they are already dealing with- its not necessarily easy or something that they would want to lean into. I think that this article and program is highly important because it address' Veteran issues like PTSD, loneliness, etc. that end up plaguing a lot of Veterans fo rthe rest of their lives. Someone believed that theater had the power to change peoples lives for the better and i think that this is a good step in involving Veterans into our world.
this is so wholesome ! Theatre can really change people lives, not just be being a part of it, and this is evidence. Seeing theatre, especially meaningful and really well done theatre, can change people's outlook on life. There is something special about seeing other humans perform live on stage, and all working together to tell a story that not many other art forms can replace. Lots of emotions and thoughts can be triggered or brought up during a theatre performance, and it opens up conversations in a unique and inclusive way. Using theatre to help those in difficult situations, whatever that may be, I think is a great initiative. I believe theatre should be accessible to all, regardless of situation, and this is a very heartwarming example of that being done. it is kind of a faith in humanity restored moment, reading what these veterans have to say about their experiences with theatre now.
Veterans are some of the most underappreciated and underserved groups in America. Which is surprising given how much most people revere and respect them. Too often we hear stories of veterans that are neglected by society and our government after their tours of service which is when they need support the most. This initiative is so nice to see because it's looking after them in an unexpected way. Most of the time when people talk about creating a better post-service environment they're referencing the essentials. Mental and physical health, housing, food, the basic necessities for life in the modern world. But things like seeing theatrical shows, which are often seen as an expensive and non-essential endeavor, can be just as beneficial to someone's emotional health and general quality of life. TDF is providing an invaluable tool for veterans that may love theatre or may just need a change of pace or way of seeing old friends. TDF's focus on not only accessibility of the arts but on fostering community is something unique and commendable.
This article is so precious. All these little old men being interviewed about their experience with Broadway is just so lovely. I have never heard of this program before now, but I am so glad it exists. A large part of my family is connected, or has been connected to the military so I am very familiar with the way war can change a person and their disposition, and that can be really really difficult for the families they come home to. Getting them out of the house and into the world is a really good first step in helping them cope, and theatre is a beautiful way to do that. Live performance has the ability to inspire and inform, and for a lot of old military men, new ideas about the world are hard to get them to listen to. But this is a beautiful and easier way to get them to listen and to come out of their shell.
This is so cute! My heart melted when the first man said that he was introverted but this program made him come out of his shell, and now he "talks more than his wife" . I love theatre. I love that it can affect someones life like this, and make them an actually happier person. And I love that TDF is doing something to honor veterans and give them something to look forward to when they are facing so many everyday struggles because of PTSD and how their time in service affected their families. I love reading all these old and young men hanging out and coming together, sometimes even reuniting after seeing someone they remember from their time in service, and how it is giving them something to look forward to. This is such a great tool to get them out of the house and out of their shell in the world and to experience stunning live theatre in New York City. I love this!
I am so happy that this program exists for veterans to experience live theatre while also connecting to other veterans. Theatre has a way of calling upon our truths and shining a new light onto them, and I think that the harsh experiences that veterans have gone through can easily help them relate to live shows. I certainly see my own hardships projected onstage all the time and I haven't even fought in a war or done combat training of any sort. That said, seeing all of those often traumatic experiences in the lives of fictional characters is refreshing, and it makes the world and that pain seem a little smaller. It must've been especially moving for those veterans to have watched Miss Saigon. I would have loved to hear their reactions. It's so wonderful that this program enforces a group mentality. I know that talking about theatre is just as important and fulfilling as the shows themselves; I certainly find that the shows I am most impacted by are the ones I can talk about with others. Therefore, it must be extra meaningful to for these veterans to share their interpretations and reflections with each other.
This program sounds amazing. Connecting people and bring them back through hardships in society is one of the most powerful interactions that I think theatre can bring. I know I do this all the time when I go the theatre and having some way of seeing these feelings projected on stage by someone else makes me feel better about it almost always. Seeing that we aren’t alone and seeing how these stories can connect to so many in meaningful ways is so special. There are so many tragic stories of how veterans are negatively effected by PTSD when they come back from combat and I can’t even begin to imagine truly how they feel but if there is anyway that I can be apart of something that helps them recover and heal I will more than gladly jump head first into that project. The least we can do for these people is give them something on stage that they can relate and feel with.
Post a Comment