Drone Discussion to Follow GROUNDED at Westport Country Playhouse

Dan Gettinger, founder and the co-director of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, will be guest speaker at Westport Country Playhouse's Sunday Symposium following the Sunday, July 16, 3 p.m. matinee performance of "Grounded" by George Brant.

The contemporary drama is about an ace fighter pilot, grounded by an unexpected pregnancy, and assigned to flying drones. Gettinger will engage in a conversation about civilian and military drones with David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director. The Playhouse Sunday Symposium program is free and open to the public.

Gettinger has written extensively on defense policy, technology, and foreign affairs. He is the author and co-author of numerous publications on drones, including "The Drone Primer: A Compendium of the Key Issues," "Drone Sightings and Close Encounters: An Analysis," "Drone Spending in the FY17 Defense Budget," and "The Drone Revolution Revisited: An Assessment of Military Unmanned Systems in 2016." He has a B.A. in Political Studies from Bard College.

The Center for the Study of the Drone is a research and education program founded at Bard College in 2012 that works to help the public better understand and address the opportunities and challenges associated with unmanned systems in both civilian and military spheres. The Center publishes original research and educational materials, collaborates with a diverse set of partner institutions, and offers events and classes at Bard and beyond. An extensive archive of content is available for free at dronecenter.bard.edu.

"Grounded" is directed by Liz Diamond, chair of Yale School of Drama's Directing department and resident director at Yale Repertory Theatre. Elizabeth Stahlmann plays The Pilot. The award-winning play runs July 11 - 29.

The Sunday Symposium Series is supported, in part, by the White Barn Program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation.

"Grounded" Production Sponsors are Judy and Scott Phares. Production Partners are Johnna G. Torsone and John McKeon.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The Playhouse creates this relationship with the community and provides this experience in multiple ways by offering: Live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos, from May through November; educational and community engagement events and opportunities to further explore issues presented by the work on stage; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings throughout the year to deepen relationships with audiences and artists alike; the renowned Woodward Internship Program training program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations from December through April to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. The value of the Westport Country Playhouse to all it touches is immeasurable.

Pictured: Dan Gettinger, founder and the co-director of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, will be guest speaker at Westport Country Playhouse's Sunday Symposium following the Sunday, July 16, matinee performance.

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