St. Joseph’s, Pendragon Theatre partnership stirs audiences

From left, Pendragon regulars Christopher Leifheit and Laura-Jean Swanson joined residents from the C. David Merkel, MD Veterans and First Responders Residential Program Gary A., Jordan T., Renaldo V., Jacob “Rooster” S. and Quincey E. in two productions of War Words, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated docu-play focused on the experiences of veterans.

NORTHERN NEW YORK – Five residents from the Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veteran and First Responder Residential Program stood with quiet dignity on the stage at Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, to present War Words, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated docu-play that powerfully conveys the raw, unfiltered experiences of U.S. military veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

War Words gave residents from the St. Joseph’s residential program an opportunity to share their own experiences and connect with the community.  The play illuminates the heroic and heartbreaking truths of war, as shared through the voices of veterans, their families and their supporters.

After two months of dedicated preparation, Gary A., Quincey E., Jacob “Rooster” S., Jordan T. and Renaldo V. paid tribute to the stories of those who have served—those who returned, and those who did not—by offering a moving performance for the staff and residents of St. Joseph’s, followed by a public performance. The five were joined by local players Christopher Leifheit and Laura-Jean Swanson, under the direction of Pendragon Managing Director Mike Aguirre.

Jacob said that the performance helped him see that he is not alone in his experience.

“I had experienced similar things, and just seeing things that I’ve seen and what I’ve gone through, it was nice to see it on paper and to be able to perform that and give other people a sense of connection to that.

“Being a veteran, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve served one day or 20 years, you’ve been a part of something that’s bigger than yourself. It changes you, it molds you, and you carry that for the rest of your life.”

Mr. Aguirre said the production was the result of a longstanding partnership with St. Joseph’s.

“We thought maybe there would be a few guys that would be interested in reading through this script,” Mr. Aguirre said. He said the original play had about 20 characters, and they looked for characters that spoke personally to residents of the program.

“A few of the guys really clung on and said yes, that story is my story. There is something universal here. They get a chance now to deliver those performances of those characters that they really have an emotional and personal connection to.”

For the veterans and first responders who participated, the experience was a powerful one.

“I learned a lot about what (soldiers) go through in wartime,” said Renaldo, who served in the U.S. Air Force. “I never realized the camaraderie that’s created in a wartime atmosphere.”

Gary said that as a first responder, he was hesitant to get involved with a production focused on the experiences of veterans, but that he was proud to get out of his comfort zone and challenge himself with the dramatic turn.

“As the rehearsals went on, it became rewarding. I’d never pondered the creative form of putting on a play,” Gary said.

Quincey said the production gave audiences a chance to walk a mile in veterans’ shoes.

“It gave the audience a chance to see and know how we feel,” Quincey said. “For me it was a learning experience, and I think it was a learning experience for the audience, too.”

The production was part of a wider effort across St. Joseph’s to bring creative outlets to people in recovery. This includes the sponsorship of an open mic night, performances from local bands at the Saranac Lake inpatient facility, and a music therapy program at veterans and first responder program.

Jeremy Baumann, Director of the Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veteran and First Responder Residential Program, said the experience was rewarding for the men who took part in it.

“It was a wonderful opportunity,” Mr. Baumann said. “It took a willingness to be uncomfortable and a willingness to be vulnerable. It took commitment and it took courage to get up there. These are all the things that we’re really trying to encourage in recovery.

“To be able to watch them see something through that they started was great.”

All of the residents involved in the production said that their time at the Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veteran and First Responder Residential Program has brought back a feeling of camaraderie with their fellows that has been missing in their lives.

“Being in the vets house, I feel like I’m in the military again,” Jacob said. “The discipline, the structure, the camaraderie, just the whole atmosphere. Even the lingo. The way people carry themselves, it’s a feel-good situation.”

To learn more about the St. Joseph’s, visit www.stjoestreatment.org.