Interview: NOBODY TOLD ME Proves the Transformative Power of Theater to Full Scope Veterans and Theatre by the Blind Actors

Playwright Melvin Ishmael Johnson

Playwright Melvin Ishmael Johnson, among his many credits, developed the Anti-Violence Situation Coping Group as a conflict resolution group for military veterans.. He is a member of the Robey Theatre Advanced Playwright Program and hosts the weekly Internet radio show: The Qumran Report (skidrow.la). In 1969 he was in college on a basketball scholarship, But when his grades dropped, Johnson was drafted and sent to Vietnam, one of six brothers in the military. His long-term goal for Full Scope Veterans is to find full-time employment positions as Stage Managers in theaters around Los Angeles as he discovered many vets have a very difficult time finding jobs when they return home and often wind up living on the streets.

"Most veterans are unaware of all the benefits to which they are entitled, or cannot face going into the Veteran's Administration building to seek out assistance since just seeing men in uniform can set off what caused their Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Rather than go through correct channels, most get their information from other vets who may or may not have the right information. And some soldiers rebel against following orders once they return home, lashing out against what following orders caused them to do during warfare. It's a vicious circle that I wanted to shed light on through NOBODY TOLD ME, using letters sent home by Veterans stationed overseas as my guidelines."

Johnson talked about the levels of trust learned by both the veterans and Theatre by the Blind actors developed as they learned to work onstage together. He feels the vets became the eyes of the blind actors as they learned to maneuver the stage set while playing sighted characters, while the more experienced blind actors provided the heart and safe emotional environment to finally allow the Veterans to open up, trust others, and share the truth about their lives honestly. "Working with Theatre by the Blind and hearing some of the life-changing stories by veterans has truly been a rewarding experience. It's one I will never forget, seeing them learn to work together and support each other both physically and emotionally"

Director Greg Shane, Artistic Director of CRE Outreach

Greg Shane, Artistic Director of CRE Outreach, directs NOPBODY TOLD ME. He received his B.A. in theatre from Tulane University and his M.A. in Educational Theatre from the Steinhardt School at NYU. Since he began teaching theatre in 2003, Greg has travelled all over the world bringing performing arts and arts therapy programs to various populations in cities including London, Dublin, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. Greg's work helps at-risk youth, military veterans, prisoners, mentally challenged individuals, the homeless, and the visually impaired. Blind in his right eye, Greg's personal connection and sensitivity towards the challenges of the visually impaired lend a unique perspective to his work.

CRE Outreach was incorporated in 2007, serving at-risk students, the visually impaired and military veterans through theater-based arts programs. Utilizing theater as a means to enhance self-esteem, encourage self-expression and empower individuals to overcome the challenges in their lives, CRE Outreach is "transforming lives, one show at a time."

Shane shared, "I am truly proud of this cast and honored to be part of this inspiring production. They have taught me a great deal about celebrating the small stuff in life. Throughout the creative process, I have observed their positive outlook and dedication to improving their lives. It was so impactful to watch the Veterans look outside themselves for the first time, connect with a character, and safely express their physical traits and emotions. Seeing them transform their lives through trusting themselves and others for the first time was a real inspiration."

Guillermo Robles, Theatre by the Blind actor

Guillermo Robles is a Los Angeles native who has been a company member of Theatre by the Blind for the past year and is excited to be on stage again. Blind since birth, Guillermo has learned to get around Los Angeles very successfully and truly understands the turmoil Veterans face coming how and trying to maneuver their way around the city with little assistance. "My grandfather served in the Korean War and I have cousins stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I never realized how soldiers without family or friends to welcome them home could feel so ostracized by society. Working with the veterans has been a life-altering experience. Their stories make me realize what they truly go through coming home from the war. We can all learn to persevere and have a 'can do' attitude after goring through so much and learning to trust others again."

There are other stories told in NOBODY TOLD ME by female Veterans who share how they learned to deal with sexual harassment while serving their country, the challenge faced by many Veterans with answering biased questions during job interviews (such as "How do loud noises affect you?), and their struggle to overcome using violence when words fail them. There are lessons for all of us, watching these two diverse groups learn to trust each other and work together on a project that has meant so much to all involved by using theater as an empowerment tool to transform lives.

NOBODY TOLD ME opens on Friday, February 27, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday, March 1 at 3 pm. Tickets are $15. There will be one preview on Thursday, February 26 at 8 pm. The Promenade Playhouse is located 1404 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401. For reservations and information call, 310-902-8220 or go to www.creoutreach.org. Paid parking is available in public structures (first 90 minutes free).