NOCTILUCA June 2017

CULTURE Appleton, Wisconsin June 2017 Volume XXII

Issue VIII Page 10

Spring show pays tribute to Wisconsin veterans Alumnus-written AFGHANISTAN/ WISCONSIN tackles theme of war

veterans. This was promi- nent during a talk back with local veterans who agreed to answer some au- dience questions. Schilling chimed in, “They were all so gracious and helpful, and they were willing to share pieces of their lives with us that were so genuine and at times relatable.” AFGHANISTAN/WIS- CONSINwas not only finan- cially successful throughout its run, raising thousands of dollars for the Fox Val- ley Veterans Council, but it truly taught and engaged community members in a rare way. “That’s what was especially unique about the show,” said Schilling, “you learn about these people that have performed these incredible acts of bravery and yet there are certain as- pects of what they’ve been feeling that you can connect to your own life.”

By Rachel Sina

This April, the Appleton North Theatre Department took a hiatus from flashy and elaborate sets for a more intimate and meaning- ful theatrical experience: its Spring Production of AF- GHANISTAN/WISCON- SIN: A VERBATIM THE- ATRE PROJECT. Written by North alum- nus, Laurel McKenzie, AFGHANI STAN/WI S - CONSIN was born from interviews with Wiscon- sin veterans who primar- ily served during Operation Enduring Freedom in Af- ghanistan. It shared stories of heartbreak and joy, pain and pride. From the enlist- ment of these dedicated citi- zens to their return home,

Cast of AFGHANISTAN/WISCONSIN engages in an audience talk back with the help of Afghanistan veteran Mike Price. Photo courtesy of Catherine Mckenzie

AFGHANI STAN/WI S - CONSIN characterizes what changed within themselves, as well as what changed about the country for which they fought. AFGHANISTAN/WIS- CONSIN presented a sin- cere, honest portrait of what it means to be a soldier. Maddy Schilling, North se-

nior, played the role of Air Force Public Affairs Officer within AFGHANISTAN/ WISCONSIN. She ex- plained how this show was a completely different ex- perience from past produc- tions, “ I learned more from AFGHANI STAN/WI S - CONSIN than I have from any other show I’ve done at

North. Not only did the cast learn technical information about the military—how to march, how to hold a rifle, basic formations, etc.—but we learned about the vari- ous human experiences that these veterans had.” One of the aspects of the show was the enhanced community understanding of

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