My Soldiers tells the story of Angi, a young woman returning from military service in Iraq as a medic. Her struggles to regain her sense of reality and humanity propel her into an escalating series of conflicts with her family, her friends and her memories. 

Kalinoski was inspired to write My Soldiers after a chance meeting in 2005 with a female medic who served in the Army National Guard in Iraq. This woman's personal story of courage, tragedy, self-exploration and rebirth became the basis of the play. But it is only the beginning of the journey inward for the protagonist, Angi, and the audience who move with her as she struggles to reclaim herself.

"Our intention is to tell an untold story about our fellow citizens, friends and families in this time of such suffering in order to show the potential for recognition, acceptance and healing," said Kalinoski.  "Despite the tragedy that has happened to her, Angi's human heroism must be reclaimed, in however small a way."

For reservations, call the Theatre Box Office at 610.225.5545. Visit www.richardkalinoski.com and www.myspace.com/easternuniversitytheatre.

Richard Kalinoski is best known for his play Beast on the Moon, concerning the survival and love of two Armenian genocide refugees in the beginning of the 20th century, which made its world premiere in Philadelphia in 1995, and received a Barrymore nomination as Best New Play of the year. Kalinoski also wrote Between Men and Cattle (BMAC) which focused on the relationship between two men across the racial divide in America. BMAC premiered at the InterAct Theatre in Philadelphia and went on to receive a Best New Play Barrymore nomination. It was greeted by the Main Line Press as a "masterpiece." Richard Kalinoski is the resident playwright at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, as well as a Rosebush Professor and Associate Professor of Theatre.

Mark Hallen has been a collaborator on both of Kalinoski's previous plays, assisting in the artistic development and directing the premiere productions of both in Philadelphia. He is pleased and proud to work with Kalinoski on this latest production and to bring it first to the Eastern University campus and surrounding community.

"Richard and I have been working together in one way or another since 1995," said Hallen. "Since the very first time I discovered his work, I have been astonished by his gift for crafting language which exposes both cathedral-esque and intimate interiors. Richard Kalinoski's plays reach into the psychological crucible of the human experience to reveal both the gems and the dark matter that surrounds them without sentimentalizing their reality."

In March 2009 Hallen directed a reading at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, with a cast of students, alumni, faculty and professionals. This was followed by two workshops on the script at Eastern in June and August, funded by the University, resulting in the current script in progress.  Kalinoski and Hallen see their work on this Eastern University Theatre production as the basis for the full professional world premiere of My Soldiers at the Detroit Repertory Theatre set for June 2010 (www.detroitreptheatre.com).

NOTE: Donations and sponsorships are welcome and necessary to ensure that this story reaches a broader audience. Please contact Mark Hallen at mhallen@eastern.edu if you are interested in the future of My Soldiers.