Military spouses use theater to heal, share experiences; "in*Between" opens Nov. 3

The Veteran’s Spouse Project (VSP), founded by Oak Ridge playwright Amy Uptgraft, who also serves as its artistic director, is debuting a live production called "in*Between" at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at River & Rail Theatre Company’s Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State St., Knoxville.

"The live script reading features real-life experiences from members of the VSP Heart to Script Writing Group, an ongoing workshop for active duty and veteran military spouses to tell their unique and often unheard stories through monologue writing," according to a news release.

“Military spouses endure so much during both times of war and peace, from high unemployment, constant moving to unpredictable schedules and long separations,” Uptgraft explained in the release. She leads Heart to Script and wrote "in*Between." She also directs plays for the Oak Ridge High School drama club, Masquers.

"Many spouses feel alone trying to hold it all together and may even feel invisible among the civilians around them," she said.

Helping civilian communities understand these hardships is part of VSP’s mission. The 501(C)3 organization, established in 2018, creates space for military spouses to be heard and to heal through various mediums like theater, creative arts and storytelling. VSP is asking the first audience of "in*Between" for their real-time thoughts and constructive feedback on the play reading afterward.

“This will help our organization tremendously, allowing us to truly gauge how we can make that crossroads between our civilian and military communities a space of even more vibrancy and understanding,” said Lea Johnson, VSP co-founder and executive and development director.

The VSP team will be promoting the play reading Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Xul Beer Co., 213 East Ave., Knoxville from 5 to 9 p.m. A portion of the events proceeds will benefit VSP and OCPAC. Xul’s Knoxville location will also be donating November sales to The Veteran’s Spouse Project. "in*Between" reservations can be made on the VSP website at https://veteransspouseproject.org/in-between/. Walk-up tickets are also available Nov. 3.

In July 2015, Uptgraft wrote and workshopped the theatre production, "I Will Wait." The play reportedly impacted the military and civilian community and began a conversation about military spouses’ lives, their individual stories and journeys, and the support that was needed. In 2017, she connected with two other military spouses: Lea Johnson and Wendy Caldwell. In March 2018, Veteran’s Spouse Project was formed as a 501C3 organization.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Military spouses get the chance to heal thanks to Oak Ridge playwright