Production aims to enlighten audience, students about war experience

July 1, 2014

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- "Basetrack," a multimedia theatrical production based on interviews with Marines deployed in Afghanistan, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. July 14-15 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

In addition to the general public, more than 1,100 University of Florida students will attend a performance as part of the required "What is the Good Life?" course. Students ponder the question through a close examination of relevant works of art, music, literature, history, religion and philosophy.

“This production is intended to promote dialogue so we can better appreciate the impact that the war in Afghanistan has on all of us,” writes Andrew Wolpert, UF associate professor of classics and What is the Good Life course coordinator, in his address to students.

Composed entirely of verbatim text from interviews with members of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines and their families, "Basetrack" chronicles their experiences with enlisting, deployment, returning home and reintegrating into U.S. life. By telling the story of a few, the public may come to understand the experience of the many of those who served in the longest war in U.S. history, and their communities and families who waited for them to come home.

For more details, visit http://basetracklive.com/

Tickets are $35 (general admission seating) and may be purchased by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-2787 or 800-905-2787 (toll-free within Florida). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, or online at www.performingarts.ufl.edu.

UF students may purchase $10 tickets (with a valid student ID) at the Phillips Center Box Office or by calling 352-392-2787. Non-UF students may purchase discounted student tickets (in the balcony) at the Phillips Center Box Office for select performances.

Basetrack is sponsored by UF Health Shands.