Reflections on Vietnam: Letters to Home

Director: Julia Schmitt

Dramaturg: Julia Schmitt

Scenic Designer: Krista Franco

Lighting Designer: Krista Franco

Costume Designer: AJ Garcia

Video Projections: Arielle Pennington

Photographer: And You Films

Production Date: November 2015

Venue: Second Stage Theatre,

Stetson University

There now stands on campus a remembrance site dedicated to the many Stetson students that served in the Vietnam War. It is a permanent marker inviting us to reflect on the honor and sacrifice of those individuals that served in the Vietnam War.

This devised play production is far less permanent, but, we hope, equally as impactful.  This performance is comprised of real letters written by American military men and women during their time in Vietnam.  In reading aloud a small selection of these highly personal letters, we hope to honor all of the military men and women that served in this War.  By juxtaposing these personal letters alongside the public press conferences and speeches of the time, we hope to highlight the way in which the daily lived experiences of the soldiers oftentimes stood in stark contrast to the war narrative that was being constructed for the citizens back home.