“I do not want to glorify war … just service. Because as one of the final lines in this exceptional script notes, 'War will break your heart.' Few movies or plays have ever captured all of this for me as War Words.”

— former General David Petraeus
 

WAR WORDS
By Michelle Kholos Brooks
Directed by Margaret M. Ledford

WAR WORDS tells the truly heroic, funny, poignant and heartbreaking stories of men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan during the “Long War.”

Based on interviews with veterans and their families, the play aims to bridge the divide between those who serve in the military and the rest of us who say, “Thank you for your service” without really understanding what that means. Michelle Kholos Brooks peoples her play with 17 characters who have returned from war to their homes, families, and communities, which is neither simple nor easy.

 

As audiences watch, they will think of members of their own families, friends and neighbors with a new recognition of what coming home really means. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, City Theatre’s fully-produced staged reading of WAR WORDS is more timely than ever.

WAR WORDS has been developed with the support of the Atlantic Council, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security to launch an annual tradition of Veterans Day play readings in theaters around the country for audiences that include veterans. City Theatre’s fully produced staged reading of WAR WORDS features a cast of South Florida actors. The reading will include a talk back with special guests. This presentation is participating with Vet Tix, to provide service members and veterans with event tickets. 

Veterans Day 2021 readings will be performed at theaters in Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

 

Readings by participating theaters are supported in part by the Atlantic Council.

Note: This staged reading includes mature content, adult language and addresses mental health.

Arsht Center Commitment to Health and Safety

The Arsht Center remains deeply committed to the health and peace of mind of our guests, artists and staff. Based on guidance from national and local health officials, masks and proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test are required. Guests may volunteer proof of vaccination in lieu of a negative test. Learn more here.

 

This event will have safe distancing measures in place. We will also maintain enhanced cleaning, sanitation and air filtration procedures. Any policy changes will be sent directly to ticketholders and updated regularly at arshtcenter.org/covid-19.