About the project

Rum and Vodka
Dramatic Reading of Rum and Vodka, by Conor Mcpherson
Directed by Bryan Doerries
Bringing to life Conor McPherson’s one-man play that speaks to the devastating effects of alcohol abuse, a dramatized reading by professional actors provokes discussions about addiction within diverse communities, including military installations, aircraft carriers, university campuses, and VA hospitals.
The part that struck me was the moment on the floor in his child's room. As a new father, that moment really hit me.

About the play
-
Rum and Vodka by Conor Mcpherson
Rum and Vodka tells the story of a 24-year-old man living in Dublin, whose life is falling apart, in large part due to his drinking. But drinking, he believes, is the only way he can cope with his shame, anger, and an overwhelming feeling of being trapped in a life he did not choose for himself. The story follows the young man on a three-day bender, during which time he loses his job, cheats on his wife, and nearly destroys his family.
Rum and Vodka Highlights
Alex Morf delivers Rum and Vodka by Conor McPherson
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Kolkowski.
Panelists respond to Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Kolkowski.
CDR Jason Duff, Psy.D., MSN, MS, USN
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Our immense gratitude goes to CDR Jason Duff for his vision, leadership, partnership, and for bringing us back to Annapolis with a trio of projects: Rum and Vodka, Theater of War: Ajax, and Tape. Image courtesy USNA by Kolkowski.
Bryan Doerries facilitates Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Kolkowski.
Audience of Rum & Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Kolkowski.
Panelists respond to Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Kolkowski.

Alex Morf delivers Rum and Vodka by Conor McPherson
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Robertson.

Audience Member responds to Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Robertson.

Bryan Doerries facilitates the discussion about Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Robertson.

Panelists respond to Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Robertson.

Panelists respond to Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Robertson.

Panelists respond to Rum and Vodka
United States Naval Academy / 2023
Image courtesy USNA by Robertson.

Performance aboard Navy aircraft carrier
USS George Washington / 2016

Performance for Marine Helicopter One (HMX-1)
Marine Corps Headquarters, Quantico, VA / 2018
Explore Projects
-
Caregiving & DeathKing Lear Project
The King Lear Project presents streamlined readings of scenes from Shakespeare’s King Lear to engage diverse audiences—including older adults, caregivers, and family members—in open, healing, constructive, discussions about the challenges of aging, dementia, and caring for friends and loved ones.
-
War & Mental HealthTheater of War: Hector, Andromache, and the Death of Astyanax
Theater of War: Hector, Andromache, and the Death of Astyanax presents live, dramatic readings of selections from Homer’s Iliad, Book VI and scenes from The Trojan Women by Euripides—featuring acclaimed actors and a Chorus of students, from a variety of backgrounds, whose lives have been impacted by war—to help frame powerful, healing dialogue about the human cost of war, centered on the suffering of children and civilians. The project uses ancient texts that explore and depict the dehumanization of war to create a vocabulary for openly discussing challenging and divisive subjects, with the aim of generating compassion, empathy, moral repair, understanding, and positive action.
-
Natural DisasterThe Tohoku Project
The Tohoku Project: Sumidagawa presents powerful dramatic readings by professional actors of Sumidagawa, a Noh play from the early 15th Century that timelessly depicts the unique challenges faced by parents in the wake of unimaginable disaster. Each reading is followed by the responses of community panelists, culminating in a lively, facilitated audience discussion. This interactive event promotes healthy, constructive dialogue about the lasting impact of the Tohoku disaster upon individuals, families, and communities—fostering compassion, understanding, awareness, and positive action.