To prepare for their performance, students in the Vietnam play "Tracers" were put through the paces by an actual marine drill sergeant. Talk about getting into character.
Theatre arts grad student and "Tracers" director Glen Coffman emphasizes the importance of presenting an educational and thought-provoking play.
"(ĪTracers') is one of the very few based on actual experiences because it was developed and written by people who were there," Coffman said.
Written by a group of Vietnam veterans and conceived by John DiFusco, "Tracers," has the capability of truly affecting both veterans and nonveterans alike.
However, it was Coffman's impressions of the war in Iraq that brought this play to the UA.
"This past year, I've had a sense of dj vu. I couldn't help thinking even though it's a different time, world and war, that I'd seen this all before," Coffman said.
He explains that the importance of this play is showing how relevant the detriment of war is.
"My idea is that the audience be made aware of personal costs to people involved in any way in any war," Coffman said. "Lives aren't just lost but impacted fairly seriously by being in a war."
Much like Vietnam movies, such as "Platoon," the play follows eight characters' stories through basic training, patrols and adjusting to re-entry back home.
However, "Tracers" does vary a bit from normal dramas. Extensive use of music, sound effects and lighting add to the realistic aura by helping to recreate the confusion of battle and jungle scenery.
With the incessant intent of creating a realistic portrayal of the Vietnam experience, Coffman suggested several pieces of film and literature for his characters to witness. He also brought in a Vietnam veteran to share his experiences and a marine drill sergeant to whip the boys into shape.
Cast members said it was the combination of hearing true stories from veterans and the gruesome physical training that really brought the reality of their roles into scope.
Some cast members admit they were really jerked into reality by the experience with the drill sergeant.
"I learned you never smile when a drill sergeant is in your presence or else you'll have to do a lot of push-ups," said Aaron Sosa, a theatre arts freshman who plays Baby San.
Jacob Fay also commented on how strenuous the situation was.
"I never could have known how many push-ups I could do," said Fay, a theatre arts freshman who plays Dinky Dau in "Tracers."
For Fay, the seriousness of the Vietnam War hit close to home because two of his uncles are veterans, but it was the firsthand description of J.P. Kaster's veteran experience that really made a deep impression.
"It helps you gain an understanding of war and a soldier's call to duty and human dignity during war. I never thought to understand it before," said Fay. "I know I'm not doomed to repeat the same mistakes because I know about them now."
To pay tribute to the types of veterans they are portraying, Coffman invited Kaster to bring veterans from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center to their dress rehearsal yesterday. He and Kaster will also open a question-and-answer segment following tomorrow's performance.
And it was Kaster's real experiences that truly helped the actors get into their roles.
"Being a squad leader, talking with the vet established how strong and rude you have to be to get people in line," said Tony Hicks, a theatre arts junior who plays Habu.
Because of the multitude of emotional and physical experiences the actors endured to prepare for their roles, their friendships have grown, similar to those among the soldiers.
"All through the situation, we've had a common goal like them. We're all from different backgrounds and have come together," Fay said.
He even admits that the cast members have begun to assume their roles outside of rehearsal time.
With the extensive experience they've received from their role preparation, the actors can relate to their characters on many levels, creating an extremely accurate portrayal of the Vietnam War.
"We're not stretching reality. The characters on stage are the same as soldiers defending our country. They're young adults just like us," Fay said.