WORK IN PROGRESS

Special Military Operation

Written and Compiled by Matthew McCray

Dramaturgy by Barbara Kallir

SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION is a verbatim play comprised of interviews with citizens of Ukraine, Russia and America that explores the fight for freedom, truth and democracy in all three countries. Real-life citizens from around the globe explore democracy versus autocracy in the modern age. 7 actors kaleidoscopically bring to life the accounts of more than 50 real-life individuals, as the war in Ukraine issues a warning for Americans at home.

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IN THE WORKS

Special Military Operation

Written and Compiled by Matthew McCray

Dramaturgy by Barbara Kallir

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SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION is a verbatim play comprised of interviews with citizens of Ukraine, Russia and America that explores the fight for freedom, truth and democracy in all three countries. Real-life citizens from around the globe explore democracy versus autocracy in the modern age. 7 actors kaleidoscopically bring to life the accounts of more than 50 real-life individuals, as the war in Ukraine issues a warning for Americans at home.

Performances:

Aug 10 @ 8PM
Aug 11 @ 4PM

Performances:

Aug 16 – Sept 15
Fri/Sat @ 8PM
Sun @ 4PM
(No performances Labor Day weekend)

Tickets:

$30 General
$28 Senior
$25 Student/SAG/AFTRA/AEA
$___ Preview

Location:

The Victory Theatre Center
3326 West Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505

Map

Author: Tom Jacobson
Director: Matthew McCray â–¹
Scenic Designer: Evan Bartoletti â—‹
Lighting Designer: _________
Sound Designer: ___________
Costume Designer: Michael Mullen
Video Designer: ___________
Stage Manager: ___________

Featuring: Leo Marks * and Ann Noble *

* Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
â–¹ Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
â—‹ Member of USA829

SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION is a documentary-play comprised of interviews with citizens of Ukraine, Russia and America that explores the fight for freedom, truth and democracy in all three countries. Real-life citizens from around the globe explore the 2022 invasion of Ukraine through an examination of the past and with an eye toward the future. This kaleidoscopic text features 7 actors who portray more than 50 real-life people. It weaves the personal accounts of citizens with historic speeches of their leaders and the reflections of Americans on growing conflicts here at home. Interviews with Ukrainians, Russians and Americans have been ongoing since March, 2022, and are the cornerstone of this exciting new verbatim play about democracy.

Previews:

Aug 10 @ 8PM
Aug 11 @ 4PM

Performances:

Aug 16 – Sept 15
Fri/Sat @ 8PM
Sun @ 4PM
(No performances Labor Day weekend)

Tickets:

$30 General
$28 Senior
$25 Student/SAG/AFTRA/AEA
$___ Preview

Location:

The Victory Theatre Center
3326 West Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505

Map

Author: Tom Jacobson
Director: Matthew McCray â–¹
Scenic Designer: Evan Bartoletti â—‹
Lighting Designer: _________
Sound Designer: ___________
Costume Designer: Michael Mullen
Video Designer: ___________
Stage Manager: ___________

Featuring: Leo Marks * and Ann Noble *

* Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
â–¹ Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
â—‹ Member of USA829

In Son of Semele’s cinematic version of The Hour of All Things, each scene of the film is directed by one or more of the following directors: Martha Demson, Erith Jaffe-Berg, Barbara Kallir, Edgar Landa, Bruce A. Lemon, Jr., Jeff Liu, Matthew McCray, Armando Molina and Jon Lawrence Rivera. Similarly, the role of Nic is reconceived for a diverse ensemble of eight actors who each portray Nic in one scene. By presenting Nic in this manner, Nic’s identity is simultaneously singular and communal–expressing not only individual desires, but also truths shared by many. The ensemble cast includes Tony Abatemarco, Richard Azurdia, Melina Bielefelt, Hannah Priscilla Craig, Donna Simone Johnson, Bruce A. Lemon, Jr., Julianna Stephanie Ojeda and Ryun Yu.

McCray’s concept of using multiple directors and multiple performers to portray Nic’s singular journey gives each scene a unique style and quality, further reflecting the diversity of race, gender and age ever present throughout the film. Additional contributions to the film include production design by Katrina Coulourides, lighting by Kaitlin Chang, editing by Matthew McCray, and sound editing by Gahyae Ryu.

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