Actors in the University Theatre’s production of “A Piece of My Heart” had a lot more than lines to study.
The play, which is set during the Vietnam War, required attention to detail in military drills and practices.
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps 2nd Lt. Evan Hessel helped the cast maintain accuracy, training the cast on military marching, salutes and postures, along with proper exercise techniques and other military matters.
“Of course we were up to trying anything,” said director Christina Allaback. “But when he taught us how to do sit-ups and push-ups properly, it was hard, but they got it. Theater majors don’t usually take too well to that sort of thing.”
The play, written by Shirley Lauro , is the true story of six women – five nurses serving in the Army, Navy and Red Cross, and a country singer – who traveled to Vietnam. The play shows each of the women before, during and after their tours of duty.
Hessel said he was impressed with how the actors picked up on the military techniques he taught.
“I went to rehearsals a couple of times a week and took notes,” Hessel said. “I was really picky but they were really great right from the start. They were enthusiastic and respectful and immediately welcomed me as a friend and a part of the process.”
Allaback, who has no military experience, said she was thankful for all of the ROTC’s assistance.
“Doing this, part of me really loved this play,” Allaback said. “The other part of me saw this huge challenge it would be for me to do a play centered around the military. I was a bit frightened and thought, ‘What am I going to do? How am I going to do this?’ It was important to have some authenticity.”
In spite of her initial anxieties about doing a military-based play, Allaback said that after rehearsing and collaborating with ROTC, the theater department has developed a good partnership with ROTC.
University student and cast member Jay Hash said wearing a military uniform commanded respect.
“It wasn’t all that rough,” Hash said. “It wasn’t like we had to go to boot camp. We just wanted to get the play to a point where we were doing everything as right and proper as possible because we want to be as sensitive and respectful to our audience as possible and careful not to offend anyone. When I put on the uniform, I try to embody all military men. I make sure that I’m in that mode.”
Hash said he was proud of how much he and other cast members learned and how well they adopted the attitude that comes with wearing a uniform.
“We may not get everything perfect – we’re actors,” Hash said. “But the ROTC training helped make sure that we’re as true to the source material as possible.”
Performances run on Oct. 28-29, and Nov. 3-5. All performances will start at 8 p.m. and take place in the Arena Theatre, 104 Villard. Tickets are $6 for the general public.
They are $5 for senior citizens, University faculty, staff and non-university students, and $4 for University students.

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