Reading for MFA Student's New Docudrama About Siblings and Vietnam Veterans, Another War Story: Sibling Addition, Set for July 12
June 25, 2019
Contact: Office of Government and Public Affairs
Phone: 410.837.5739
Another War Story: Sibling Addition, a docudrama about a quest to understand the experiences of soldiers in Vietnam, will receive its inaugural reading on Friday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in the University of Baltimore's Wright Theater in the UB Student Center, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave. The theatrical play, written by Beverly Parsons, a student in the MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts program in the University's Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, highlights stories of the siblings of Vietnam veterans. The event is free and open to the public.
As part of her summer independent study in playwriting, Parsons is developing the new work based on her interviews with siblings of those who served in the war. As part of this process, she focuses on her own long-term efforts to regain closeness with her older brother, who saw combat during this historic conflict.
Parsons says she is looking for what she calls "the missing piece of the puzzle" during her explorations:
"There are quotes, like, 'I don't watch war movies … but when I get up the strength—you see, I'd like to see my brother again—I look for him in footage,' that express the longing to connect with siblings," Parsons says. "One soldier admitted his silence was due to the concern that 'I didn't want my father to think I saw bad things, you know, which I did.'"
Parsons is a native Baltimorean and has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a Master of Science degree in social work, from Towson University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, respectively. In addition to her work in the MFA, she also is in the Playwriting MFA program at Hollins University. Parsons does volunteer work and is active in theatre productions. She writes poetry, and now is trying her hand at playwriting.
Prof. Kimberley Lynne will direct the July 12 reading of Another War Story, which will feature local actors Kathryn Falcone, Patrik Fleming Satta, David Forrer, Adrienne Gieszl, Janise Whelan, and John Wilson, almost all of whom have performed on the Wright stage before. Lynne is a published playwright who taught playwriting at the University of Baltimore and in Northern Ireland; she directed and developed new artistic work for local writers through the Emerging Voices Project at Spotlight UB.
The reading will be followed by a moderated talk-back and a light reception in the adjacent Bogomolny Room.
Learn more about the MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.