Mechanism of injury:
self inflicted gunshot wounds
and a lifetime of stepping
on IEDs
SNM has entrenched
trying and failing and
trying and failing and
trying and failing
Injury sustained:
self loathing,
near constant fear
of getting it all wrong again
the inability to let go
trying and failing and
trying and failing and
trying and failing
Signs and Symptoms:
scarlet torrents
tears shed
dread and panic
nausea
trying and failing and
trying and failing and
trying and failing
Treatment rendered:
shooting a back azimuth to
tourniquet the head
and allow the heart
to heal
failing but trying and
failing but trying and
failing but trying
Steve Callahan is a writer, a poet and a former Marine infantryman. Bursting with creative efforts, Steve runs a poetry site, podcast, and is heavily involved in PB Abbate. Steve’s writing covers his experiences in the Marines, his deployment to Helmand and the psychological peaks and valleys of an infantryman’s life. Follow him here.
Listen to our Podcast with Steve here.
What’s happening at VetRep…
Mark your calendars for November 28th! Giving Tuesday is just one week away, and VetRep needs your support. Here are some ways you can show your love to VetRep this season!
1. Listen to the Savage Wonder Podcast, where we conduct long-form interviews with veteran artists, writers, musicians, and playwrights.
2. Subscribe to this blog! If you’re reading this, you probably already do, so tell your friends and share the love so they can receive the best in veteran artists too.
3. Attend live events. Between our parlor shows, public play workshops, WonderGround events, and community outreach, there’s always something happening, so bring a friend and come say hello!
4. Share us on social. Do you have pictures from an event you attended, love a piece on the blog? Share it on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to tag us.
5. Donate! As a 501(c)(3), all our productions and ventures are funded through donations from supporters like you. Donations are tax deductible, and any amount helps us set the stage for the incredible work our artists produce.
VetRep is proud to present Michael Frayn’s “Chinamen” for our November and December Parlor shows. This legendary British farce has five characters and only two actors, and you won’t want to miss the final, hilarious performances of the season. We have enjoyed sold out shows all year, and while there are worse problems we could have, we want to encourage you to get your tickets to “Chinamen” before they disappear!
Join us for the December 7th performance of War Words with New York Rep!
War Words is a Pulitzer Prize nominated docu-play in the words of the men and women who served in the U.S. Military during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, based on the playwright’s interviews with veterans of the 20-year Long War and their families. You can get discounted tickets to the December 7 performance – where VetRep will be hosting a post-show talkbalk.
Our Acting for Beginners class is now being offered weekly every Saturday from 10am-12pm. Scholarships for qualifying veterans, as well as multi-class passes are available. Registration details can be found here.