Austin Community College (ACC) is co-sponsoring a series of programs connecting veterans interested in pursuing the arts and creative industries with industry experts through a series of workshops, panels, and performances beginning October 20 at Eastview Campus (3401 Webberville Road).

Austin Arts and Services Celebration

The Austin Arts and Services Celebration is open to the veteran community and offers intensive training with established and accomplished professionals. In partnership with The Veteran Artist Program (VAP), The Telling Project, Texas Performing Arts, Writers’ League of Texas and many others, ACC will host workshops including creative writing, playwriting, and intro to motion graphics.

“This innovative program helps our veterans find an outlet in the arts,” says Charlotte Gullick, Chair of the Creative Writing Department at ACC. “They develop new ways to connect with an audience.”

Veteran artists will showcase their final works in a series of public events including readings, concerts, and performances.

Telling: Austin, TX 2014

ACC will co-host the culminating theater production “Telling: Austin, TX 2014” in which veterans will share their stories on stage. The original production, in its second year at ACC, is developed from interviews with seven Austin-area veterans and performed by the veterans themselves.

“We’re turning veterans into actors and their stories into theater,” says Jonathan Wei, director of The Telling Project. “They all have stories, but few of us get to hear them. On stage they find a new outlet to share those experiences. It helps them cope with life after service and after war.”

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

• October 25: B. Iden Payne Theater at the University of Texas (300 E. 23^rd St)
• November 7-9: Austin Playhouse at ACC Highland (6101 Airport Blvd.)

Admission is free and advance tickets are not necessary. Seating is limited. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. For more information, visit thetellingproject.org.

As a Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC), ACC is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to servicemembers. The college currently enrolls about 2,200 veterans

For details on ACC services for veterans, visit austincc.edu/veterans or call (512) 223.7574.