In March 2017, Artistic Director Bryan Doerries was appointed as a NYC Public Artist in Residence (PAIR) with the Department of Veterans Services and the Department of Cultural Affairs, an initiative that enhances civic services through artistic practice. Over the course of the residency, Theater of War Productions staged over 70 free performances across all five boroughs, engaging audiences in diverse venues, from City Hall to Lincoln Center to Rikers Island, as well as community centers, public libraries, homeless shelters, public housing developments, high schools and domestic violence shelters.
Through partnerships with City agencies and community organizations—including the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety— the residency has served as an incubator for the development of new projects. With the collaboration of the Department of Veterans Services, Theater of War Productions has broadened its work with military and civilian communities and premiered programs focused on veterans’ affairs, police and community relations, racial injustice, gun violence, mental health, domestic violence, neighborhood violence, and drug abuse.
This residency was exclusively supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, whose generous support made it possible for audiences to experience this critical work, free of charge, across all five boroughs.
Following the company’s PAIR tenure, in an independent survey of approximately 9,000 audience members conducted by Metis Associates, audience members reported that as a result of attending a Theater of War Productions’ event:
They are more likely to talk about difficult topics (91%) and seek help for themselves or someone else if necessary (86%)
They felt more connected to other people at the event (89%) and in their community in general (89%)
Public Artist in Residence NYC Highlights
Audience member at Antigone in Ferguson
Howard Playground, Brownsville, Brooklyn / 2017
Brigadier General (Ret.) Loree Sutton, MD, founding Commissioner for New York City's Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) in the crowd of Antigone in Ferguson
Howard Playground, Brownsville, Brooklyn / 2017
The Drum Major Instinct
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Plaza / 2018
Lita Taylor sings in The Drum Major Instinct
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Plaza / 2018
Brooklyn United Drumline opens for The Drum Major Instinct
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Plaza / 2018
Damien Scott of the Red Hook Community Justice Center speaks in the discussion at Hercules in Red Hook
450 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn / 2018
Audience member speaks in the discussion at Hercules in Red Hook
450 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn / 2018
Audience member speaks during the discussion at Hercules in Red Hook
450 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn / 2018
Audience members at Hercules in Red Hook
450 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn / 2018
Free ice cream at Hercules in Red Hook
450 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn / 2018
Hercules in Red Hook
450 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn / 2018
Theater of War: Ajax Crown Heights
Brooklyn Public Library, Crown Heights Branch / 2017
At this performance of Theater of War, the audience was composed of Cure Violence mediators from our partners at Neighbors in Action, Save our Streets, Crown Heights Mediation Center and veterans from across all five boroughs.
Haley Nolasco and David Gaskin co-facilitate Theater of War Crown Heights
Brooklyn Public Library, Crown Heights Branch / 2017
Audience members speak at Theater of War Crown Heights
Brooklyn Public Library, Crown Heights Branch / 2017
Craig Manbauman serves as a panelist at Theater of War Crown Heights
Brooklyn Public Library, Crown Heights Branch / 2017
New York TImes Announcement
"The city’s Department of Veterans Services and Department of Cultural Affairs has announced that Mr. Doerries is its newest public artist in residence. During his tenure, Theater of War will stage more than 60 free events in venues in all five boroughs, drawing on its repertory while developing new productions tailored to different communities."
