"Pieces of War" by Kenny Carnes
NACA SHOWCASING ARTIST - NORTHEAST 2005
Written largely in rhapsodic verse, this thirty, forty-five, or sixty minute one-man show delivers a rapid-fire cadence of rhyme and rhythm to weave a portfolio of stories from three generations of American heroes. In this program, the second in a series of solo performances, Carnes examines violence and captures the narratives of American soldiers from WWII, Vietnam, and contemporary conflicts. ---- A son returns home from Iraq. His grandfather recalls his victories at Normandy. Memories of September 11th. A father becomes lost in his voiceless shame trying to forget Vietnam. ---- Based on interviews, observations, and personal experience, Pieces of War seeks resolution through conflict, captures understanding through contemplation, and unites audiences in a common dialogue surrounding the universal journey of the hero in us all. March beside an “army of one.” Honor the fallen. Heal the wounded. And artfully confront the violence.
Post Show Discussion
Pieces of War evokes questions, discussion, and contemplation without propagating absolutes. Carnes uses provocative performance in the way the ancient Greeks used theatre—as a precursor to rich dialogue. The performer joins your post-panel discussion of community and/or campus leaders or veterans, or facilitates talkbacks himself. Post-show events have enriched university symposiums, benefited victims of war, and served as a gateway to collective healing and understanding.
Other Programs:
"Last Words"
Last Words, by Kenny Carnes, is a sixty minute solo-play showcasing the hearts and minds of America's executed. This anthology is designed to humanize and sensitize us to the cycle of violence while provoking thought. Last Words tells the stories of death row inmates, their friends, families, wardens, families of murder victims, and politicians. A synthesized story is built upon a series of monologues—each punctuated by actual last word testimonies of executed inmates projected on a viewing screen. Last Words captivates, enlightens, and shocks while revealing human faces emerging from the most unlikely of places. The audience becomes the final jury—challenged to question an array of social issues while the main character, Inmate Albert L. Peoples, addresses you during his final appeal. At the conclusion, the audience debates Peoples’ fate on the path to exploring justice, peace, and equality before voting on the final outcome.
Post Show Discussion
Acting as jury, the audience initiates post-show dialogue. Topics easily bridge capital punishment to include broader discourses such as: confronting hatred, retribution, the cycle of violence, the dark side of human nature, justice vs. ethics, religious tolerance, and even philosophy and existentialism. Key leaders from the community are invited to facilitate and moderate a panel discussion with the performer, or Mr. Carnes alone can facilitate this thirty minute post-show portion of the program.
Workshop: Conflict Resolution
Performances of Last Words generate discussions about the cycle of violence and how to effectively manage conflicts in social situations. This workshop examines conflict in your culture allowing participants to realize destructive behavior patterns and transcend existing organic tensions into positive teams that effectively collaborate and change the way we view and handle daily interaction.
Workshop: Rants, Riots & Rhyme
Through spoken word and monologues, Rants, Riots & Rhyme delivers a storytelling experience the cloudy violence affecting our lives. In a series of fictional narratives this monodrama fights its way toward a deeper understanding of non-violence. A fanatical preacher justifies a local CEO’s exploitation of the environment. An inner city gang leader loses his life while preparing to riot against his rival neighbors. An Israeli teen contemplates avenging his father’s death by joining forces against the Palestinian Army. A multitude of “others” reveal themselves on stage in this part-scripted/part-free style rhyme. This multi-character one-man show mounts a living, breathing scrapbook of personal story, provocative poetry, and interactivity integrated with statistical data on domestic abuse. Rants, Riots & Rhyme unites our purpose and awakens us to the ignorance of shadowy violence. Kenny Carnes customizes a 30 or 45 minute show tailored around your event.
Workshop: Theater For Change
This three hour workshop moves participants beyond cognitive knowledge into the territory of emotive knowledge. Using experiential approaches, group dynamics, role play, improvisation, and theater games, the workshop improves personal insight, growth, and integration on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels. It identifies obstacles, clarifies issues, increases wellness, enhances learning, and develops new skills. Its process helps empower leaders, build cohesive teams, and discover group innovations. Youth programs benefit from its leadership model which fosters creativity, diversity, social awareness, and responsibility. Through social outreach, underserved communities can transcend oppressions, gain empowerment, and heal abusive pasts.
Workshop: Wellness Workshop for Veterans
War veterans often experience a silent and solemn readjustment process upon their return home from the warfront. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to reestablish oneself back into the fabric of family, work, and community. Two-hour, three-hour or full day retreats provide veterans, soldiers, and family members an alternative to the traditional combat decompression process. Designed by veterans, for veterans, this effective training and experiential retreat facilitates an improved ability to manage life, career, and family roles. The workshop aims to strengthen coping skills, enrich wellness, and build hope during the soldier’s post-war recovery process.
“…EMINEM meets Eric Bogosian.” (The Providence Journal-Bulletin)
“…language that pierces us like darts.” (The Phoenix)
“…this work makes us aware of our social responsibility.” (The Crimson White)
“Carnes’ provocative playwriting has an enormous capacity to heal and transform us.” (Brown University)
About Kenny Carnes
As an accomplished actor, storyteller, and performance poet, Kenny Carnes stages an array of original performances to create thought provoking art-based dialogues built upon topical events. Described as a “Master of the Monologue,” his original stage works act as sharp instruments to examine the human condition as he shape-shifts through a portfolio of archetypal characters. Carnes has been called, “…a powerful messenger” by NY-Theater.com and has been praised for his spoken word poetry designed to unite our diversities, bridge our polarities, and awaken our hearts.
Appearing on notable stages such as the Woodstock Historic Theatre, The Carnival Center for the Arts, The Admiral Theatre, and St. Michael’s Playhouse, his performances touch thousands each year. “His provocative playwriting has an enormous capacity to heal and transform us,” says Brown University, and The Providence Journal-Bulletin has deemed him “the EMINEM of Theater.” Since training at the American Conservatory Theater (1999), his theater-for-thought creations have gone on to educate, enlighten, and heighten critical awareness issues at universities, theater companies, performing arts centers, and other organizations. Kenny has received praise for his radio show “Voices of Freedom” on WPRO News Talk 630, has appeared on National Public Radio, and has worked as creative talent for Twentieth Century Fox, NBC-Television, Citadel Communications, Clear Channel, and PBS Television. His leadership experience includes nearly ten years as an army officer, corporate consultant, and small business owner.
Holding a Master of Arts in Holistic Counseling (Salve Regina University, 2003) with a thesis concentration on Psychodrama/Drama Therapy, Kenny Carnes continues to inspire and facilitate positive behavior change through his performance art, residency programs, and creativity workshops.
"Last Words"