CENTENNIAL RECKONING

Directed by: Krista DeNio

Created/Performed by: Malia Byrne, Adrian Gebhart, Kasia Krasnopolska, Bill McQueen, Bhumi B. Patel, Rae Raucci, Kristen Rulifsen, Jayden Torrey

Written by: Performers with interviews from Charlotte Coleman, Judith Crosby, Lisa Michelle Fowler, and Maurine Mcferrin DeLeo from the Ask and Tell project by Steve Estes. All writing edited and adapted by Krista DeNio and Seth Eisen

Dramaturg: Seth Eisen

Performance Coach: Katarina Eriksson

Light Design: Allen Willner

Stage Manager: Chloe Crotzer

Sound Design: Cory Neale

Costume Design: Jessica Mckee

Technicians: Ashley Munday, Kirill Zhukov, James Goode, Travis Bennet

KD>>MG and EchoTheaterSuitcase project created a new performance work together with veterans and non-veteran civilian artists in collaboration with the American Legion War Memorial Commission (ALWMC) and Veterans for Peace (VFP), in celebration of the centennial anniversary of Armistice day, November 2018.

Centennial Reckoning brought to light untold stories of LGBTQ+ and immigrant service members from various eras. During this historic moment in time we looked forward to bringing forward the stories of those who have held important roles in our military throughout time, but have often been unacknowledged, underrepresented or whose central identities were erased as a part of their service experience.

In an era when our Commander-in-Chief suddenly (although without any policy plan, agreement from military leadership or other legislators) announced a ban on transgender service members serving in the all-volunteer U.S. Military, we’re glad we had already selected this moment in time to bring to the stage—the history and contemporary stories of our LGBTQ+ service members. On the Centennial anniversary of Armistice day, it was also a historic moment to bring forward the stories of transgender and other queer service members who have been serving their country throughout time— long before the 1993 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) legislation, its repeal in 2010, or the legalization of transgender service members to serve in 2016.

At a time when immigrants to this country are also under attack more than ever, whether fleeing violence or poverty in their own countries, seeking refuge, or otherwise– many also pay the ultimate price of service by enlisting in the U.S. military. Centennial Reckoning highlighted the ongoing service immigrants have given to this country from WWI forward in our military, and otherwise. In a country built from the ideal of immigrating to a new land to build a better life, EchoTheaterSuitcase project tried to recognize the ongoing contributions, production, service and benefit that immigrants continually bring to the United States of America.

ETS worked together with both LGBTQ+ and Immigrant veterans and non-veteran civilian women and men whom have held roles of leadership and service in their communities. We explored the ways these identities have intersected their life’s work. Stories were told by the individuals themselves who were performing, in addition to stories from the archives, personal interviews or otherwise of individuals who were unable or did not wish to represent themselves in the live performance format.

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