History

Director’s Note – Douglas C. Wager

“I am a truly fortunate man. After reading a newspaper article about journalist and author, Yvonne Latty and her personal journey through In Conflict, I contacted her immediately, read the book, and we met for coffee. That was a year ago.

Based on my experience working with acclaimed actress, scholar, and performance artist Anna Deveare Smith, I was sure Yvonne's book could be brought to compelling life on stage. She agreed, Temple agreed, and here we are.

Beyond the thrill of creating an original theater piece, this project has awakened my understanding of what it means to be an American. It has aroused my appreciation and respect for those who choose to serve their county in the military.

The Iraq War is still with us. Troops continue to be deployed and redeployed. When they come back, they deserve not only a debt of gratitude, but they deserve the chance to be heard, listened to and understood.

We can neither stop this war nor win it. “Support the Troops” has now evolved into a political conundrum of compassion, exploited by both sides of the issue. But we can make a difference by just listening to their stories and begin to grasp the conflicts, challenges and complexities these brave and worthy Americans face daily as a result of their service and perhaps be moved to help them in simple ways to finally “come home.”

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IN CONFLICT made its world premiere at Temple University’s Randall Theater on October 6, 2007 as the opening production of their 40th Anniversary Season. It was adapted and directed by Douglas C. Wager from the book of first-person interviews with Iraq War veterans by noted journalist Yvonne Latty. Originally scheduled for a strictly-limited engagement through October 13, 2008, the production was extended through October 20, 2007 due to its critically-acclaimed, sold-out run. The remarkable nature of the production caught the attention of scholars, artists, student, and theatergoers across Philadelphia, and was featured in numerous major publications including Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Weekly, and CityPaper.

In an unprecedented response to IN CONFLICT’s powerful connection with its audience, a symposium was held on Saturday, October 20, 2007 in the Joe First Center at Temple University, bringing together several of the real-life veterans that have been portrayed in the production with Latty, Wager, the cast of IN CONFLICT, and an audience of over one hundred people. Audience members were given the dynamic opportunity to see, up close and in person, the real-life soldiers whose stories they had just heard on stage in Randall Theater. It was an unforgettable discussion about war experiences, art commenting on war, and the veterans’ gratitude for letting their voices be heard. For all present, it was a rare opportunity to see life and art imitate everything in unison.

Since then, it seems that the sky’s the limit for IN CONFLCT.

On January 22, 2008, IN CONFLICT was invited to perform at the legendary, Tony Award-winning regional theater, Long Wharf Theatre, in New Haven, Connecticut. This one-night-only performance coincided with the premiere of renowned actress and theater artist Anna Deavere Smith’s new solo play Let Me Down Easy. Deavere Smith’s trademark theater rehearsal style—built around using interviews and other “real” documents to explore the physicality of the subject—greatly influenced Wager’s direction of IN CONFLICT. The actors, all students at Temple University, took on the enormous task of creating a character through audio-tape conversations between Latty and the soldiers. In many cases, the actor met or spoke to the soldier that he/she was to portray. After finding the voice and the emotional nuance of each soldier, the actors were able to craft exacting, rather disarming visions of the mixture of fear, bravery, desperation, and great pride of the modern American soldier.

Next up: IN CONFLICT is scheduled to play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (August 2008), the Philadelphia Fringe Festival (September 2008), and then Off-Broadway as the opening production of The Culture Project’s 2008-2009 Season.

The original cast included: Sam Paul, Suyeon Kim, Sean Lally, Tom Rader, Stan Demidoff, Tim Chambers, Danielle Pinnock, Ethan Haymes, Damon Williams, Amanda Holston and Joy Notoma.

The original production of In Conflict featured: set designs by Andrew Laine; costumes by Marian Cooper; lighting by Dom Chacon; sound by Chris Cappello with Paul Winnick serving as music advisor; and video design and production by Warren Bass, assisted by Gary Yong. The stage manager was Dana Hurley. Original post artwork was designed by Marie Anne Chiment.