When Fanbase Press is not providing you with the latest in geek news and entertainment, the Fanbase Press staff hopes to offer our readers a myriad of opportunities to give back to the community. We love reading comics, watching movies, and playing video games, but we are never happier than when we are able to help others in need. With Geeks Care: How You Can Help, Fanbase Press will provide you a variety of causes that would greatly appreciate your time.
For the latest edition of Geeks Care: How You Can Help (and given that we are in the midst of Star Wars excitement), the Fanbase Press staff would like to focus on Arts in the Armed Forces, a non-profit organization launched by military veteran and actor Adam Driver (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi) in 2008 to provide high-quality theater programming for active duty service members, veterans, military support staff, and their families.
According to the organization’s website, “Arts in the Armed Forces performs theater for all branches of the military at US installations domestically and around the world. Our core program consists of published contemporary American plays and monologues presented by theater-trained professional actors and actresses. We choose plays that feature diverse themes, ages, ethnicities, and experiences to create a complex and unique experience for the audience. Importantly, after each of AITAF’s performances, the actors interact with the audience through a question and answer session, as well as a more informal mingling period. The goal is not simply to provide an enjoyable evening, but to use the powerfully emotional shared experience of live theater to open up conversations capable of bridging the divides between military and civilian, service member and family member, the world of the arts and the world of practical action.”
In addition to providing theatrical performances and education all around the world, Arts in the Armed Forces announced a new initiative in November 2017 – in conjunction with their 10th anniversary – with the purpose of recognizing an emerging playwright of exceptional talent within the United States military. Known as the Bridge Award, the honor consists of a $10,000 prize and an AITAF-produced reading of the winning work. The head judge will be Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Full details regarding the rules for entry may be found here.
More information regarding Arts in the Armed Forces, their upcoming events, and how you can donate may be found on the organization’s website.
If you have a volunteer opportunity or an important cause that could use the assistance of a few geeks, please email the details to barbra (at) fanbasepress (dot) com.
