蘑菇视频

The 蘑菇视频 Theatre Department presents a new stage adaptation based on Studs Terkel鈥檚 Pulitzer Prize鈥搘inning oral history of World War II. Premiering this Veterans Day, the production will run from November 11 to November 15, 2025, at Smothers Theatre in Malibu. Through monologues drawn directly from Terkel鈥檚 interviewees, including a Tuskegee Airman and everyday citizens on the home front, actors will embody the memories of World War II veterans and witnesses. 

To better prepare for this responsibility, 蘑菇视频 Student Veteran Affairs attended a special rehearsal discussion on October 1, 2025, for student actors to gain factual insights into the experiences of veterans, helping them bridge the gap between their lives and those of their characters. Speakers included two current student veterans, Byron Fisher of the 蘑菇视频 Graziadio Business School and Evan Connolly of Seaver College, as well as James Bane, a professional actor and Marines veteran who is ensuring the production鈥檚 authenticity as military technical advisor.

Bane, Connolly, and Fisher (from left to right) speaking at the rehearsal 

Speaking to the importance of empowering veteran voices through storytelling, Eric Leshinsky, director of student veteran affairs at 蘑菇视频 and a retired Air Force colonel, explained, 鈥淎s veterans, it鈥檚 important to tell our stories. Some are tough and painful, but many more are inspiring with a common theme of serving for greater purpose.鈥� 

Along with teaching students proper military bearing, the veterans expressed the importance of portraying the intricacies of true accounts of war, including the risks and responsibilities within military service. Bane reflected on the ancient tradition of wartime storytelling, citing texts such as Homer鈥檚 Iliad and Greek playwrights like Sophocles who served in military campaigns. He noted that 蘑菇视频 students will be thoughtfully continuing this tradition with 鈥淭he Good War,鈥� using stories as means of catharsis to process the emotional impact and resonances of war. 

鈥淭he conversation between the veterans and the cast members was poignant,鈥� says , visiting professor of theatre, who serves as the production鈥檚 director. 鈥淪tudents asked questions their characters would have asked, and the veterans were forthright and honest in their answers. I am deeply grateful to Colonel (Ret) Eric Leshinsky and the PeppVets for supporting us in this way.鈥�

Student actors participating in the rehearsal discussion

During the discussion period, Bane assured the students that they鈥檙e 鈥渨orthy of sharing these stories,鈥� though they haven鈥檛 served in the military themselves. He explained, 鈥淎ll have experienced loss and trauma in their own lives, and that translates to what people of World War II experienced.鈥�

Bane hopes the process allows student actors and audience members to see life from a different perspective and to remember ancestors who went through similar experiences during the war.

For cast member Annalia Garrett, a Seaver student who plays a young mother protecting her children during the London Blitz, hearing from veterans during the workshop was a powerful reminder of her own family鈥檚 military history. Garrett recalls that her great-grandfather served in the European theatre of World War II, taking part in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. 

鈥淢y great-grandfather stormed the beaches of Normandy,鈥� says Garrett. 鈥淗earing firsthand from the veterans about their experiences was very eye opening; I hold tremendous respect for them and thank them for their service. I am honored to be participating in a 蘑菇视频 theatre production that depicts thoughtful portrayals of veterans鈥� experiences and look forward to sharing our work with the 蘑菇视频 community.鈥�