Shakespeare and Veterans

Shakespeare Decoded

What does Shakespeare have to teach us about the veteran experience? Join host Brian Wilson (Founder, combatandclassics.org) and guest Stephan Wolfert (Founder, decruit.org) as they discuss their transition from active duty US Military to civilian life, trauma, breath, community and Macbeth. This episode contains discussions of trauma, suicide, and addiction. please take care while listening.

Stephan Wolfert (US Army, ’86-’93, Medic & Infantry Officer) left a career in the military for a life in the theatre after seeing Shakespeare’s Richard III. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Trinity Repertory Conservatory in Providence, Rhode Island. He has written four original plays and four adaptations of Shakespeare from a military Veteran’s perspective. He also has ten scientific journals published, has contributed to two book chapters in the scientific field, and is currently completing two books. He frequently writes, lectures and is interviewed for his work known as DE-CRUIT®: a program to reintegrate military Veterans using Shakespeare and science. The organization he runs and the performances of his Shakespeare adaptations combine to share his passion for the idea that while we are very good at recruiting people into the military, we are far less skilled at de-cruiting them back into civilian life.

Recommended Readings:

Achilles in Vietnam, Jonathan Shay

Odysseus in America, Jonathan Shay

The Body Keeps Score, Bessel van der Kolk

The Wisdom of Trauma, Gabor Maté