A Veterans Theatre conducts Writers Retreat 2011 to complete and host a public reading of Viet Nam Veteran Nick Corea's (USMC) story.
Thank you to everyone that has so generously helped us reach our goal in just two weeks!
For those of you that are visiting the site for the first time, we really hope you'll become a backer and help us to continue to raise money for this vital and timely project. With projects like these, the more resources we have, the better workshops we will be able to conduct and thus a better production. So please help us continue to spread the word about this project and keep checking in for new updates.
For those of you who have already donated...THANK YOU!
And please pass this along to others:
Our heroes have voices--we want to give them megaphones!
WE ARE THE VCPA-- The Veterans Center for the Performing Arts, a 501-C3 non-profit organization.
And we want to bring you...
Writers' Recon 2011
(because we don't retreat):
"Operation Padre"
WHAT?!?
In 1965, Nicholas John Corea, USMC, deployed to Vietnam as a machine gun team leader. He went back for a second tour in 1968.
Congress felt he deserved a purple heart for the wounds he received during combat...and they gave him one. We believe he deserved a chance to talk about the invisible wounds he received AND the lifelong battle he fought as he tried to leave the war behind. With your help, we're giving him that chance!When Nick Corea returned home he became a professional writer, director, and television producer. Nick also wrote a series of short stories about his time in Vietnam. Sadly, he passed away before his stories were able to be shared.
However, his stories have been handed on to the VCPA to turn into a play. Our intent is to share these in order to tell the story not only of what it's like to serve but also of what it's like to come home and still be living the war every day.
While combat may change from war to war, the veteran's experience after the war changes very little. And we as a society continue to let our vets down by forgetting them and the sacrifices they made for us.
We believe that the telling of their stories is a form live, communal therapy, a ritual reintegration that unites and heals those who served, their families, and those who supported them at home.
DON'T BELIEVE US?
The Ancient Greeks--the same folks 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 picking up where Sophocles and the Greeks left off.
WAIT... HOW & WHY?!?
You can help us tell Nick’s story.
The most valuable gift a group of theater artists can be given is the time and space away from the distractions of daily living to do his/her work, and this Recon (aka writers retreat) will do exactly that. For one full week, our director, dramaturg, actors and writers will convene at a space in Carmel Valley to do nothing but work on the play we've created. Our days will be spent rehearsing, rewriting, learning what we've got, and how to make it better--all with the ultimate goal of mounting a fully realized production in the very near future. But we need your help to make it happen.
By donating to the VCPA's Writers Recon 2011: "Operation Padre," you'll be helping to pay for this week of rehearsals which will eventually lead to the full production. And we'll be crystal clear here: EVERY DOLLAR HELPS. Your tax-deductible contribution will allow Nick's story to be told.
So be a part of the mission...
MISSION?
OUR MISSION is to Embrace, Educate & Employ our nation's military Veterans which will, in turn Empower both our veterans & our communities.
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
The VCPA Writers’ Recon 2011
(because we don’t retreat)
“Operation Padre”
Veterans Center for the Performing Arts
No Pity. No Apology. No Political Agenda.
FAQ
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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.
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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. -
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. Contact us!
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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.
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Backers
$3,010
pledged of $2,000 goal
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Funding period
May 29, 2011 -
Jun 28, 2011
(30 days)
- 2 created · 3 backed
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- Website: govcpa.org
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ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE We Thank you, every bit helps!
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"Backers Only" e-mail updates & an IRS tax-letter
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A Personal "Thank You Letter" signed by cast & playwright. (PLUS all of the above)
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15 backers
Your name in the Program for staged Readings in Los Angeles PLUS a program signed by cast & playwright. (PLUS all of the above)
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A Limited edition, signed cast photo from V.C.P.A. Writers' Recon: 2011 “Operation Padre”. (PLUS all of the above)
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An invitation to a PRIVATE reading in Los Angeles. (PLUS all of the above)
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A special invitation to the "cast meet & greet" before the PRIVATE reading in Los Angeles. (PLUS all of the above)
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A limited edition, numbered & annotated copy of the script "Over Before We Get There" AND V.I.P. seating at the Los Angeles public reading. (PLUS all of the above)
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A limited edition V.C.P.A. Writers' Recon 2011: “Operation Padre” Honorary ‘Dog Tags’; AND “ELITE” V.I.P. seating at the Los Angeles public reading. (PLUS all of the above)
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A Limited Edition numbered Collector's UNIT COIN with case; NOTE: The numbered coin provides free admission to "Over Before We Get There" for LIFE!!! Simply present the coin at any production of this play and you will receive free admission for life. Whether it be a community theatre or on Broadway the coin presenter is admitted free!
