Overview
Rum and Vodka
Rum and Vodka is a public health project that presents dramatic readings from Conor McPherson’s one-man play Rum and Vodka as a catalyst for town hall discussions about alcoholism, substance abuse, and addiction as they affect service members, veterans, caregivers, clinicians, families, units, and communities. Each reading is followed by a panel discussion, culminating in a facilitated town hall discussion about acknowledging and overcoming alcohol dependence, substance abuse, and addiction. The project premiered for an audience of clinicians and military leaders at a DOD/VA Joint Behavioral Health/Mental Health Services Conference in Arlington, VA. The project has also been presented at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for clinicians and patients, Coatesville VA Medical Center, MCB Quantico for 2,200 Marines as part of a pre-summer safety stand down event, and, most recently, for ARCENT/3rd Army audiences in Kuwait and Qatar at Camps Arifjan, Buehring, and As Sayliyah.
DVIDS – News
“Rum and Vodka, a taste of what can happen”
by Pfc. David Walters
ABC News
“Theatre treatment for alcohol abuse”
by Jane Cowan
Army.mil
“Rum and Vodka production combats abuse”
by Nathan Pfau
ABC 10 News: San Diego
“Marines Unveil One-Man Play at Local Base to Combat Problem Drinking”
by Michael Chen
Marine Corps Times
“USMC Unveils Dramatic Effort to Curb Drinking”
by Gidget Fuentes
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
“Rum and Vodka Boosts Awareness”
by Lance Cpl. Sarah Wolff-Daiz
Quantico Sentry
“Stand down uses Rum and Vodka to elevate alcohol awareness”
by Mike DiCicco
Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System
“Third Army presents Awareness and Prevention Programs” by Sgt. Josh Holt
“Video: Rum and Vodka” by Pfc. James Bowen
Philadelphia Business Journal
“Substance abuse by veterans focus of VA Program”
by John George
DARPA Graphic Novel/Webcomic Project
Outside the Wire and E-Line Media are honored to be joint recipients of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) award for the development of online graphic novel/sequential art authoring tools for use by service members and veterans. Over the next year, we will be researching and developing a suite of online tools that will empower service members and veterans to create graphic novels and webcomics as a possible gateway to formal therapies for psychological injury and PTSD.
The Dionysus Project
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation has funded Outside the Wire and the Partnership at Drugfree.org to produce a series of dramatic readings from Euripides’ Bacchae in communities that have been profoundly impacted by drug abuse and addiction, followed by town hall discussions about the disease of addiction as it affects teens and young adults, as well as their families. The initiative is part of the You Are Not Alone campaign, which uses social and traditional media to educate and engage communities affected by substance abuse.
The Daily Bruin
“Bacchae reinvented: Group uses Greek tragedy to spark discussion on substance abuse”
by Colin Reid
Hazard Herald
“Dionysus Project turns Spotlight on Addiction”
by Bailey Richards
Job in Joplin
Outside the Wire, in collaboration with PopTech, presented two free dramatic readings from The Book of Job on Sunday, May 20, 2012 as a catalyst for audience discussions about the lasting impact of the tornado that devastated the city of Joplin on May 22, 2011. The performances were hosted by College Heights Christian Church and the Ozark Center, the largest and most comprehensive mental health provider in Joplin, MO, and featured award-winning actors reading selections from Stephen Mitchell’s translation of The Book of Job, followed by remarks by community panelists and facilitated audience discussions. These interactive events were intended to promote healing dialogue within the community of Joplin, fostering compassion, hope, understanding, and positive action.
Read this piece in The Joplin Globe: “Actors Bring Book of Job to Life for Joplin Audiences”, and watch these two videos on KSN News: “Job in Joplin: Bryan Doerries” and “Job in Joplin: Rev. Randy Gariss”.
Facing the Other
Facing the Other is a social justice project that presents select scenes from Aeschylus’ Persians as a catalyst for town hall discussions about the impact of xenophobia and racism upon individuals, families, communities, and nations. This unique, participatory event aims to promote healthy dialogue among diverse audiences, fostering empathy, cohesion, and understanding. The project premiered in Denmark at the Copenhagen Business School on September 22, 2011.
Domestic Violence Project
Outside the Wire is developing a public health project that will present dramatic readings as a catalyst for town-hall discussions about the impact of domestic violence on individuals, couples, children, caregivers, and communities. The goal of the project is to create a safe space for dialogue about abusive and manipulative behaviors, power struggles and violence, the lasting impact of experiencing or witnessing violence in one’s home, and the role of support systems in these circumstances. This unique, participatory event is intended to generate open discussion among audiences to raise awareness, foster compassion, and inspire action with regard to the consequences of domestic violence as experienced by individuals, couples, children, and communities.
Bangor Daily News: Catching Health
“A Streetcar Named Desire: Let’s Talk About Domestic Violence“
by Diane Atwood
Lewiston-Auburn Sun Journal
“Disturbing drama brings domestic violence to life“
by Bonnie Washuk