First Look: THE HERO WITHIN Brings Veterans' Personal Stories to Life, Extended July 7-8-9 in Santa Monica

After a sold-out and critically-acclaimed run at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in April 2017, CRE Outreach, in partnership with the Veterans Empowerment Theatre, is pleased to announce a one-weekend extension of THE HERO WITHIN, the powerful play which brings veterans' personal stories to life through an artistic journey that gives voice to the difficulty of transitioning from the war zone back into society as they search for the hero within themselves. Thanks to ticket demand, extension performances have been added the weekend of July 7-9, 2017 on Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm at the Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401. A talkback with the cast and director will take place following each performance.

The production features a cast of seven local veterans appearing as themselves: (in alphabetical order) Harold Boons, Chris Thouart Curtis, Patricia Jackson-Kelley, Monty Montgomery, Ruben Thomas, Jr., Judy Welch, and Jonaton Wyne, whose true stories are woven together by Greg Shane, Artistic Director of CRE Outreach, and Melvin Johnson, playwright and founder of Dramastage-Qumran, who both strive to make the arts more accessible to all Angelenos.

After completion of a successful operation, the Joint Task Force of the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines gathered veterans to be recognized as heroes. However, the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can occur after you have been through a trauma, defined as a shocking and dangerous event that you see or that happens to you, causing you think that your life or others' lives are in danger, can trigger veterans to do the unthinkable after their return.

Going through this type of trauma is not rare. About 6 of every 10 men (or 60%) and 5 of every 10 women (or 50%) experience at least one such trauma in their lives. Women are more likely to experience sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Men are more likely to experience accidents, physical assault, combat, disaster, or to witness death or injury. THE HERO WITHIN follows the trials and tribulations of seven brave men and women along their path from civilian life to joining the military, to their return home and back into society as they search for the hero within themselves. The show includes both lighthearted comedy and dramatic moments that will leave audiences on the edge of their seat.

Single tickets for THE HERO WITHIN are available for $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/theherowithin or call (310) 902-8220. Available tickets will go on sale a half hour prior to each of the 3 performances on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 8pm, Saturday, July 8 at 8pm, and Sunday, July 9 at 3pm, at the Promenade Playhouse box office, 1404 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401. There is metered street parking and pay parking lots in the area.

"Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed." - Bob Riley

Photo credit: Jay Buchsbaum

Meet The Veterans in THE HERO WITHIN and celebrate our Independence this July 7-8-9 by hearing these veterans share their personal stories of military service while searching for THE HERO WITHIN themselves. Their trials, tribulations, and success stories will inspire you!

HAROLD BOONS: A Vietnam Era Veteran, United States Air Force, Master Sergeant Retired with tours of duty in Japan, Thailand, Panama, Honduras, Korea, and Germany. He studied Cinema and Television at Los Angeles City College and Performance Arts Theater at California State University Channel Islands. His background SAG acting works include the television shows "State of Affairs" and "Scream Queens" and in the movies "The Circle" and "Bright". His acting includes short films "The Optimist" and "Until The Day End". He is Stand In and Photo Double on "White Famous" a pilot sitcom ordered by Showtime. He wrote, directed, and produced a PSA on smoking can be hazardous to you health aired on community access programming. He currently has a recurring background role as a Joint Chief of Staff on ABC's hit television show "Scandal."

USAF Veteran, CHRIS THOUART CURTIS is a diverse creative. As a model of expanding self-expression, the message of healing persists to evolve through his work. Vast Experience has shaped a wealth of value, shining light on true diligence and overcoming whatever obstacles are placed in his way from achieving his goals. Chris now acts as the Social Media Coordinator for CRE Outreach.

PATRICIA JACKSON-KELLEY in her first performance is happy to be a part of "Hero Within." She has an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing from New York City Community College, A Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hunter College, New York City and a Masters in Public Administration in Health Service Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California. She retired as a Lt. Colonel and completed 26 years of combined active duty and reserve military service. She served in the Air Force, Air Force, Navy and Army Reserves. Her affiliation with numerous committees and organizations within the community and throughout the United States assist her in serving veterans. She would like to thank her family and friends , cast and director and everyone else who extended a hand in sharing experiences of creating this journey formulating "The Hero Within."

Monty Montgomery is a Retired Senior NCO and Iraqi Veteran from Chicago. He is an Actor/Singer who has recently become a member of Screen Actors Guild (SAG). While on Active Duty his motto was One Team - One Fight! Since retirement it has changed to One Man-One Mic! He would like to thank Greg Shane & Melvin Johnson for the opportunity to be a part of "The Hero Within."

RUBEN "RU" THOMAS, JR. is an American Recording Artist & Actor. Ru is a veteran of the United States military, Serving 6 years in the United States Air force. Ru enjoys Acting, but has a passion for Music. Inspired by the Hip Hop culture, Ru has recorded numerous Hip Hop Mix-tapes and Albums, and has composed music for both Musicians and Films. Ru's music career started back at age 7, when he first began writing poetry and playing the trombone. Ru recently graduated from the Los Angeles Film School with an Associates in Music Production and a Bachelors in Business Entertainment. Ru has since started his own Independent Entertainment Company "Juice Entertainment", which is also an acronym for "Join Us In Creating Entrepreneurs Entertainment" . Follow Ru on all social media platforms @Rolemodelru or visit www.rolemodelru.com for more exclusive Content and Information.

JUDY WELCH started acting in High School and continued her education majoring in Theatre Arts at S.U.N.Y. Oneonta. Judy received her first acting award for "Best Supporting Actress" in the "7th Corp. Tournament of Plays" for, "The Man Who Came to Dinner" while serving in the U.S. Army in Stuttgart, Germany. Judy and her family later moved to Chicago where she continued on in film, voiceover, television, and theater with many leading roles. Some of her credits include THEATRE: "He Loves, He Love Me Not", "In the Grip of Grace" - TJW Productions, "Realities" -JU'MA Productions, "The Cycle" - FAM Entertainment, and "Zooman and The Sign" -Harlem Theatre Co. of Chicago. FILM: "Stranger Than Fiction" - Columbia Pictures, "Of Boys and Men" with Angela Bassett and Robert Townsend, - The Anointed Harvesters, NFP, and "Tactical" - CLAS Productions. Judy worked as a Line Producer on "Tactical" and as Unit Production Manager, Script Supervisor for "Father's Day". Since moving to Los Angeles in August 2010, Judy has worked on several commercials and music videos for Kendrick Lamar and Bart Baker. Judy is grateful for the opportunity to work with CRE Outreach and give a voice to so many Veterans that are too afraid to speak out. "Believe in yourself, so others may believe in you too"

JONATON WYNE is from New York. Theater Arts Mayor in college where he was playing football. His dream was to play professional football but he found himself drifting into the performing arts. After coming back to LA he got into film work, "Black Diamond", "The Cross", to name a few. Television you saw him in "General Hospital", "The paramedics", "Unusual Suspects". Theater, "A Doll House", "A Few Good Men", "For Black Boys Who Have Considered Homicide". "The hero within is within everyone: Life's experiences brings it out. Life is an adventure, it needs to be explored." Jonaton was in the Army for two years, his last year of duty was in Vietnam. His last two theater performances this past year was: "Sabado Mornings" and "Catch The Tiger." His last film this past year was: "Kiss Me at Midnight."

About CRE Outreach

CRE Outreach is a non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to empowering underserved individuals from low-income populations in greater Los Angeles. CRE stands for Create, Reflect, Empower - words that encompass the process, focus, and targeted outcomes of our programs. Since 2007, CRE Outreach has utilized theatre, the performing arts, and educational programs as a means to enhance self-esteem, encourage self-expression, and empower individuals to overcome the challenges in their lives. For more CRE Outreach information, visit http://creoutreach.org/

Greg Shane, Artistic Director of CRE Outreach, and Melvin Johnson, playwright and founder of Dramastage-Qumran, join forces again for a second Full Scope Veterans collaboration to create THE HERO WITHIN. Full Scope Veterans is offered by CRE Outreach under the umbrella of Veterans Empowerment Theatre (VET), a suite of performing arts programs for military veterans that gives our nation's brave service members a safe environment to voice their own heroic stories, personal tragedies and experiences through theater.

VET uses theater as a form of art therapy encouraging participants to explore creative elements and use artistic expression to find a path to overcome addiction, effectively deal with PTSD and reintegrate into society. VET presents a firsthand view of the soldiers' experiences in their most raw form, unfiltered by the press or military censorship. Productions give audiences greater insight into the difficulty facing veterans returning from deployment. Performances depict real encounters from the front lines of battle and expose the inner turmoil of the lasting scars, both external and internal endured from combat.

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