HARD CORE: WOMEN'S REFLECTIONS ON IRAQ: A Performance

Back in August, I was contacted by playwright Emily Bauer who invited me to participate in a project giving voice to a variety of women’s views on the war. The project had a working title of “Women and War”.

The goal of the project was to create a play/performance that tells the stories of those involved with the Iraq conflict. The members of the project felt that even though they heard a little about Iraq, they really didn't know what happens there, how it affects families, spouses and members of the military.

They decided that they would gather stories through interviews, emails, and blogs -- without a political agenda in presenting the stories. The only goal was to present a variety of voices on the subject. -- specifically how the war affected women who have been/are deployed, in the military, considering the military or those who have relatives and/or spouses there. It wasn’t that they weren’t interested in men's voices, but the writers wanted to discuss issues that faced women specifically.

I have read the script and find it to be a fairly balanced discussion of many women’s’ views of the war -- mine among them. I'm not in the play, but DH and I are hoping to sort out our suddenly busy schedules, make the drive and take in a performance (I'm really quite curious to see the actress who is playing me... and they are using my name in the part...)

The piece -- now titled "HARD CORE: WOMEN'S REFLECTIONS ON IRAQ" -- is being performed in Fullerton, CA at the Hunger Artists Theatre Company on November 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19.

I share Emily’s hope that the project will help to share stories of what is happening in Iraq.

If you're in the Fullerton area, I hope you'll take the opportunity to go see this work. And Emily -- thank you for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful project!