Veterans Speak Up 2023 was a Success!

Our Veterans Speak Up performance on Tuesday, May 16th was a moving and eye-opening evening with five veterans opening their hearts and souls to share their stories with a large audience at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.

Thank you to all of our 2023 Veterans and artists behind-the-scenes, as well as the generous supporters who made the program possible during such a challenging year.

» Click here to read more about the event and see some photos!


Since 2015, Chance Theater’s Veterans Speak Up program has worked in partnership with California Arts Council, Anaheim Community Foundation, Nixon Library, Kiwanis Club of Greater Anaheim, Anaheim Hills Rotary Club, Boeing, and others to create a platform for veterans to share their stories and express themselves in hopes to promote social healing and deepen our community’s understanding of our local heroes.

We are currently offering the following participation opportunities for local veterans:

  • Record meaningful conversations to be archived at the Library of Congress or included in performances
  • Collaborate with other veterans and our theater artists to share your story with an audience
  • Receive individual and group discounts to our theatrical productions

If you would like more information, please click on the button below to submit an interest form.

Submit Veterans Interest Form

Questions? Send an email to the program coordinator, Karen O’Hanlon, or call us at (888) 455-4212.

 


Other Chances to Participate

» Record meaningful conversations to be archived at the Library of Congress or included in performances

Schedule a 40-minute conversation with our Veterans Speak Up program director about your experiences as a veteran. The interview will be scheduled when it’s convenient for you and we will provide a list of questions in advance to spark ideas for what will be discussed, and what you may want to share. The resulting video footage will be submitted to the Library of Congress as part of their program to archive military experiences and may be used as part of Veterans Speak Up performances.

Share Your Story for Archives

Need more info? Send an email to the program coordinator, Karen O’Hanlon.

 

» Receive individual and group discounts to our theatrical productions

Chance Theater is proud to be one of the many official Blue Star Theatres in the nation that welcomes U.S. military personnel and U.S. veterans. Part of our outreach to local veterans and active military personnel are special discounts for Chance productions and events. To receive email notifications with discounts and special offers, fill out our Veterans Speak Up Form.

Get Discounts for Chance Shows

Need more info? Send an email to the program coordinator, Karen O’Hanlon.


About our Speak Up programs

For over a decade, the Chance has been helping our community to find their voice and “speak up” about their lives and experiences. We give them the opportunity to speak so that we have the opportunity to listen. Greater understanding fosters greater empathy. Through these programs, we hope to contribute to a more connected, compassionate, and creative community.

To find out more, click on one of our Speak Up programs below:

» Watch our Community Director
- from 2020 Virtual Gala

Support Our Speak Up programs

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, all our veterans have received full scholarships to participate. To support this program, please make a donation of any amount below or consider volunteering.

Donate Now  |  Volunteer Now

Bring Speak Up to Your Group

Think our Speak Up program could help your group? Let us help you tell your stories.

Submit Speak Up Interest Form

The flag used in the key artwork was created by freepik – www.freepik.com


Click here to watch video on YouTube


Get Involved with
VETERANS SPEAK UP

Share Your Story for Archives Get Discounts for Chance Shows
“It wasn’t just going onstage, it was overcoming some fears. I’m not a public speaker, but when you speak from your heart, I think it resonates. And going onstage for the first time, I remember how emotional many of us were telling some of our stories.” Martin V., U.S. Air Force
“It not only was entertaining to an audience, it was healing for us. Each one of us. To very strong degrees. As I look back on it, we aren’t the same after the play is over with. We’re better. We really, really, really, really have experienced a catharsis. A readiness to have people hear us, finally, about our experiences and we get it out.” Ronnie G., U.S. Army

Bring Speak Up to Your Community

Let us help you tell your stories.

Submit Interest Form

Support the Program

Volunteer Now Donate Now

Generous program support provided by:

Katheryn Baker
Brad Feldman
Roger Friedman
Anaheim Community Foundation
Kiwanis Club of Greater Anaheim
Anaheim Hills Rotary Club
Carol & Lee Oldham
Anonymous

Community Partners