LRP had the privilege of working with artist and director Krista DeNio to produce a short film about her project EchoTheaterSuitcase (formerly the CONTACT project) which brings together mixed ensembles of veterans of war and military service with non-veteran civilians in various communities/cities, to co-create audience-interactive performance installations.
This film captures what the project is about and the positive impact it has had on veterans and non-veterans involved in the project alike. As Krista herself says at the end of the film,
"rather than being passive as we often are in feeling like the war is over there [somewhere else] - the military is not part of us (if we're not participating in it directly) - that actually we DO have a responsibility, we ARE directly involved. And what IS our responsibility in the process in healing our society?"
Very powerful and important work - please have a look and share!
DeNio and her collaborators are continuing to refine the project working model, with contributions from each community/ensemble. They will continue serving multiple communities, nationally. For more information: kristadenio.com/echotheatersuitcase/
Venue and Event Production Credits:
Canal Gallery, Holyoke Massachusets
CounterPulse as part of the ARC Program