Public to Present Free Reading of Voices in Conflict, 6/15

In response to the cancellation of Voices in Conflict, a play about the Iraq war created by and for Wilton High students in Connecticut, The Public Theater will produce a staged reading of the play directed by Bonnie Dickinson on Friday, June 15th at 7:00PM in the Martinson Theater.  Tickets are free and will be available beginning Sunday, May 20th.

"An extraordinary play created by a Connecticut high school theater class, Voices in Conflict is a series of compelling monologues based on the actual words of American soldiers and Iraqis as they have appeared in blogs, books, documentaries and correspondence home.  As the concerns, anguish, pride and perception of these soldiers are given voice on the stage, Voices in Conflict explores the human dimension of the war.  Banned from performance by school officials, the play has received international attention and support from the theater community around the world," according to Public Theater notes.

Bonnie Dickinson, Wilton High School's theater teacher, said: "At a time when the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandates military recruiters have carte blanche access to high school students, a group of theatre students an hour from New York are censored and their devised piece about the Iraq War called inappropriate and biased.  We are thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to perform at the Public."

Artistic Director Oskar Eustis stated: "These young people are using theater to investigate and challenge the world we live in.  Their curiosity, courage and boldness deserve to be honored and celebrated by all of us who think that theater can change the world.  We are proud to offer the Public as a platform for their passion and talent."

Bonnie Dickinson (Director) is a full-time theatre educator and has been teaching and directing in the Wilton Public Schools since 1993.  In 2001, her program was awarded the honor of "best school theatre program in CT" and she took 47 students to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

Tickets for Voices in Conflict are free.  A very limited number of tickets will be available starting Sunday, May 20th.   All tickets must be reserved by calling 212-967-7555 or by visiting The Public Theater Box Office at 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY.

Box office hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00pm to 7:30pm, and Sunday and Monday from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. For more information, visit www.publictheater.org