Kickstarter

WHO?

WE ARE THE VCPA-- The Veterans Center for the Performing Arts, a 501 C 3 non-profit organization.

We develop & produce original works by military veterans for the stage. 

(and examine existing works from a veterans perspective) And we want to bring you… 

WHAT?

Will & War, part one: CRY “HAVOC!”  

After two years of paralysis from a high school sports injury. And after six years in the Army, Battling PTSD-- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stephan Wolfert hopped off an Amtrak deep in the mountains of Montana. He stepped into a local theater and saw William Shakespeare’s Richard III. He left the Army and went to graduate school for theatre & Shakespeare. (at Trinity Rep... in Rhode Island) Twenty years later, he has a show, facing one of the most vexing problems of our time:

For many military veterans, there is no “off switch”. After years of testing and training to maintain our “combat readiness”, And to unleash our “Berserker” 

By the way-- This is a “Berserker”: A Norse warriors of old who fought with a trance-like fury in the heat of battle.

...SO after years of unleashing this “berserker” there is NO testing and training to leave military service and rejoin the civilian world. There is NO training to eliminate our “berserker”. Leaving a veteran or combat veteran, out of the military, all-alone with this unleashed berzerker: “Now what?” 

Cry Havoc delves into this question. 

This one-person play unites veterans with civilians using Shakespeare, & personal stories to explore the difficulties that our veterans and their families face.  

In the hopes that maybe, just maybe, we can help them eliminate the berserker and truly come home.

CRY “HAVOC!” is directed by Eric Tucker (Veteran, Navy) and Bruce Cervi (son of Veteran).

Our heroes have voices--we want to give them megaphones!

WHEN & WHERE CAN WE SEE IT?

CRY “HAVOC!” will open on Saturday, May 26th and run through Monday, June 4th at The Shakespeare Center LA – Studio Space, 1238 West 1st Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

Materials, food, stipends, travel, etc.

While Cry “Havoc!” is designed to be performed anywhere. From a 900 seat theatre or a living room in Bagdad Cry “Havoc!”; is performed story-telling-style, with minimal set, props, & lights. HOWEVER, this still requires funds to pay for stipends & food for veterans working on the show and the minimum materials to produce and advertise the show.

Open Admission 

The VCPA always provides its productions free and open to the public. We believe that professional, transformative art should be free & accessible to all. In that spirit, your contribution helps to cover costs that would normally be recouped by admission costs.

WHY ANOTHER PLAY? 

While combat may change from war to war, the veteran's experience after the war changes very little. And we as a society seem to continue to let our vets down.

By telling their stories... a live, communal therapy occurs, a ritual reintegration to unite and heal those who served, their families and those who supported them at home.

LOOK...the Ancient Greeks, who invented western, theater did it first! Seriously... Sophocles, the guy who wrote Oedipus (considered one of the greatest plays of all time) was a freakin' GENERAL! 

We are just picking up where he left off. So...  

Be a part of OUR MISSION 

Embrace and welcome all veterans into a positive, creative environment

Educate veterans through hands-on collaboration with professional artists

Employ veterans in the production of original & classical theatrical productions

Empower veterans AND communities by focusing veterans' already strong work ethic towards producing plays and sharing these plays free and open to the local community

WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE VCPA?

Your tax-deductible contribution will help us produce six “workshop” performances at Shakespeare Center Los Angeles. 

Your tax-deductible contribution will help to launch a full tour of this CRY “HAVOC!” to needy areas. (West LA VA, College Campuses with veterans, etc.) 

Your tax-deductible contribution will help us to hire veterans & veterans’ family members during this process.

AND did we mention we’re a not-for-profit organization so your donation is tax deductible? Well we are, so it IS!

Your tax-deductible contribution will help us unite veterans & civilians at the performances and after!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Check out all the perks to the right! (Special seating, memorabilia, etc.) AND you get to show off your awesome “perks” that you’ll receive for helping to produce this incredible event!  

Plus, you get to say that you helped unite veterans & civilians! 

OTHER WAYS TO HELP 

Go to our website! http://www.govcpa.org

Sign up on our mailing list! 

Like us on Facebook! 

Follow us on Twitter! 

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!