TDF Stages

Stephan Wolfert and Dawn Stern on treating trauma through Shakespeare and science

Stephan Wolfert had planned to spend his entire career in the US Army when a production of Richard III transformed his life. It was the first Shakespeare play he had ever seen, and it spoke so profoundly to his harrowing experiences as a medic and infantry officer, he decided to leave the military and become an actor. After receiving his graduate degree in acting from Trinity Rep Conservatory in Providence, he performed in shows all over the country, helped craft the military segments for Movin' Out on Broadway and eventually founded De-Cruit, a NYC-based nonprofit that helps rewire veterans' brains using Shakespeare's language and themes. Wolfert even enlisted his wife, fellow performer Dawn Stern, to his cause. TDF brought these artists/activists together to talk about how they've helped those suffering from trauma and PTSD through their theatre projects, their thoughts on our Veterans Theatregoing Program and the three Shakespeare-inspired one-acts they're presenting Off Broadway this summer. If you weren't able to tune in live you can watch a recording below. Captions are available. Content warning: suicide, violence and war are discussed.

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If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets to all three De-Cruit productions: The Head of Richard, Make Thick My Blood and She Wolf.

Top image: Dawn Stern and Stephan Wolfert from De-Cruit. Photo by Brenna Merritt.