Salute: the veteran actors of nma

As a company that has produced six War Plays in the past six years, NMA is no stranger to exploring the realities of military life. Many of our projects dive into this world, but none more so than Ellen McLaughlin's Ajax in Iraq.

That's why, for our 2016 production of Ajax, we've brought onboard three of the finest veteran/actors we could find: Jason Barlaan, James Bane, and Ronin Lee. Not only are these gentlemen phenomenal actors, but they have brought a raw honesty and a wealth of knowledge to our process, and we thank them for it.

This week, we got a chance to sit down with the three of them and ask them about their experiences. Here's what they had to say:

JASON BARLAAN
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
2005-2011

• Trained/Stationed: San Diego (Camp Pendleton & Miramar), Quantico VA, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea

• Rank and Responsibilities: Captain - Close Battle Coordinator / Platoon Commander. Coordinate close battle while overseas, set up medical evacuations/extract casualties, plan aviation assault missions

NMA: What inspired you to go from the military into the performing arts?

JASON: People ALWAYS assume I want to be a Hollywood actor when I tell them about my profession. The truth is I just want to be free.

NMA: Can you speak more about how acting (or anything else you may do) is part of your experiencing that freedom?

JASON: Experiencing freedom has definitely redefined itself since leaving the Marine Corps. Theatre absolutely helps with that, acting is fun, it takes you out of your comfort zone and just helps you be you. And not the you that hides behind things and insecurities. But the real you, the you that comes out when you've had too many to drink, or when you're with your closest people in your life. People ask "but how will you make money?" Haha, I just laugh. My objective is to learn how to be genuinely happy without it, then I'm already one step closer to winning at this thing called "life."

NMA: What do you feel is the opportunity of the performing arts in serving the community?

JASON: Start a conversation of certain issues that affect said community and create dialogue where opposing sides can actually disagree with a dignified sense of civility without being violent.

NMA: What drew you to this play? What about this project speaks to you?

JASON: From the opening scene, I could tell right away that actual veterans were speaking these lines. A lot of my comrades come home from war with severe issues, and honestly the freedoms that we have in this country are taken for granted.

NMA: Please feel free to add ANYTHING you'd like to say, about yourself, your military experience, being a veteran, playing a soldier on the stage, this play specifically. Anything you think is important that I may not have thought to ask.

JASON: When I read the news and see how divided this country is, I can't help but cry inside. How many generations of people need to go to war until we figure out a way to peace? It's as if my friends gave their lives for naught.

JAMES BANE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
2001-2008

• Trained/Stationed: Basic Training (boot camp) - Parris Island, South Carolina, Military Police Training - Fort Leonardwood Missouri, MP Co Alpha - Lexington, KY, 3/7 Marines - Twentynine Palms, CA, Bethesda Naval Med (Now Walter Reed National Medical Center) - Bethesda, Maryland

• Rank/Responsibilities: Sergeant. Field Military Police, a multipurpose and utility unit. Mobile infantry support, route recon, convoy security, QRF and border patrol.

NMA: What inspired you to go from the military into the performing arts?

JAMES: I actually chose the military because I was afraid of the uncertainty of pursuing the arts. Eventually I got brave enough to follow my heart.

NMA: What do you feel is the opportunity of the performing arts in serving the community?

JAMES: I believe that the arts allow for people to relate in ways they never knew possible. To show that I'm not alone in my feelings. It's also a healthy way to influence change, spark ideas and discuss our current social and political scenes.

NMA: What drew you to this play? What about this project speaks to you?

JAMES: I believe the physicality of the theater, the challenge of the story, my own experiences and the passion of the ensemble all drew me this play.

RONIN LEE
AIR FORCE
2008 - 2012

• Trained/Stationed: ROTC at Howard University and in Alabama. I was stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

• Rank/Responsibilities: I separated, as a 1st Lieutenant and I was a contracting officer establishing contracts with businesses off base.

NMA: What inspired you to go from the military into the performing arts?

RONIN: I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer. The military helped me strengthen myself and find my way.

NMA: What do you feel is the opportunity of the performing arts in serving the community?

RONIN: I believe that it is important that the performing arts continue to hold a mirror up to society in order for communities to learn from each other and build.

NMA: What drew you to this play? What about this project speaks to you?

RONIN: My friend Sydney told me about the play and I just love to perform. Once I read the play I was really touched by the suicide element. As a suicide survivor, I’ve struggled with suicidal thoughts since I was 15. Anything that gets the word out, and lessens the stigma of suicidal thoughts and mental health issues drives me to perform and help that cause.