‘Telling: Chattanooga’ gives veterans a forum to speak their truth

Five local veterans and a military spouse will share their stories in a special presentation at Chattanooga State Community College. “Telling: Chattanooga” is produced by The Telling Project, a national performing arts nonprofit that uses theater to give veterans and their families a public forum and their communities a chance to better understand their experiences.

“Greater understanding fosters receptivity, easing veterans’ transitions back to civil society and allowing communities to benefit from the skills and experiences they bring with them,” says the organization’s website, TheTellingProject.org.

Since 2008, The Telling Project has produced more than 40 original performances and put more than 180 veterans and family members onstage in 16 states. Each city’s production is adapted to local veterans’ experiences.

“The stories in each Telling Project production … are different, but the common threads are the same: service to country, pride, heartfelt emotion and humor,” says Rex Knowles, director of theater programs at Chattanooga State.

Artistic director Sherry Landrum says the local veterans relate stories that are “humorous, heartfelt, moving and profound.”

To begin the project at Chatt State, Michelle Olson, director of student support, and Kathryn Bissell, coordinator of the Veterans Support Center, got the word out to campus veterans and community veteran organizations. Those interested in taking part were interviewed by Max Rayneard, national director of research and outcomes for The Telling Project.

“He came to Chattanooga for the interviews,” Knowles says. “He then compiled the interviews and wrote the script from these interviews.”

Staging is done in a story theater style, Knowles explains, so rather than reciting personal monologues, the six principals interact onstage.

“They may become a drill sergeant, a family member, a love interest or a recruit,” he says. “The set is minimal: six cubes that are moved to create various locations. Photographs from their time in the service are projected during the performance.”

The stars of “Telling: Chattanooga” are veterans John Edwards III, Quinton Quan, Jackie Stephenson, Terry Thomas and William Wright and military spouse Michelle Thomas.

Rehearsals have evoked a range of emotions: “Humor, sadness, anger, pride,” Knowles says.

“None regret their military service,” he adds. “They would do it again in a heartbeat.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO “Telling: Chattanooga” performers are, from left, veterans John Edwards III, Terry Thomas, Quinton Quan and William Wright. In back are military spouse Michelle Thomas and veteran Jackie Stephenson.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO “Telling: Chattanooga” performers Quinton Quan, William Wright (in back), Michelle Thomas, Terry Thomas, John Edwards III and Jackie Stephenson, from left, rehearse a scene. Six performances of this localized Telling Project production are scheduled over the next two weekends at Chattanooga State Community College.