How TDF Is Helping Veterans Get Back to Broadway

After the isolation of the pandemic, participants in our Veterans Theatregoing Program value the power of the performing arts more than ever

Timmins and Saul hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic began, and reconnecting was emotional. “We hugged for a bit for sure,” says Timmins. “As public servants in higher education, neither one of us has the disposable income to really have special nights out to see live performances. But because of TDF, we were able to make that reunion happen.”

Of course, during the , attending in-person performances wasn’t an option. But TDF never abandoned the veterans who depend on us. To keep them engaged with theatre, we arranged complimentary so vets could stream recordings of shows from the safety of their homes, and hosted virtual Q&As with directors, producers and performers. Timmins took advantage of these online events, and while he admits “nothing beats live theatre,” he enjoyed that “there were no long lines for the restrooms!”

During the shutdown, participants also turned to our culture blog, TDF Stages, to learn about the ways theatre artists were navigating the pandemic. “At 96 years of age and cocooned in my home, TDF helped ease my isolation,” says World War II veteran Arthur Grabiner. “I enjoyed reading about the theatre community rallying to move forward, adapt and continue to entertain despite the challenges of separation.”

Like Timmins, Grabiner also watched many streaming shows during the lockdown, particularly from the Queens-based Titan Theatre Company, whose performances he had previously attended in person. “Seeing the familiar faces of Titan’s cast members, albeit virtually, felt like I was reuniting with old friends,” he says.

“What they’re doing with the veterans is beautiful,” says Vietnam vet Paul Colliton, who also saw many friends at Hadestown. “A lot of these guys are probably down and out, so this is a thing that really helps spark their morale.”

Nicholas Sterghos, a US Army veteran who served in South Korea, Kuwait and Colorado, agrees. “We’ve been through a lot,” he says. “It means so much to be with fellow veterans, enjoying the company and the culture together.”

If you’d like to support the TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program, you can donate online.

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Elyse Orecchio is TDF’s Digital Content Manager. Follow her on Instagram and on Twitter at @elyseo. Follow TDF on Twitter at @TDFNYC.

Elyse Orecchio is TDF’s Digital Content Manager. Follow her on Instagram at @elyseo. Follow TDF on Instagram at @TDFNYC.