It all started with a book. My grandmother (a retired teacher who lives in the UK) brought me a book when she flew over for her annual visit. I was a pre-teen, it was summer, and reading wasn't my favorite thing to do. As she handed me the book, she mentioned she had met the author at a conference and was able to get the book signed. As I opened the book to see, not only did he sign it, but he signed it "To Michael From Another One!". Knowing the extra effort she put in, I felt obligated to read it. I read a chapter, and then another one. Page after page, I was further drawn into this story to where I found that I could not put the book down. I finished it that night.

Out of the many lessons this book teaches, one that it taught me in particular was the power of Advocacy. Shortly after this book was first published, the public outcry was so strong that the British Parliament signed the Armed Forces Act, which granted symbolic posthumous pardons to over 300 victims (mostly teenagers) who were "tried" and executed for minor offenses while on the battlefield. Nearly 100 years after WWI, the British government finally acknowledged their controversial past mistakes. As we watch the story of Pvt. Thomas "Tommo" Peaceful unfold, I hope that the relatable messages ring strong and true and we think about our current world. How far have we actually evolved?

I'd like to dedicate this performance to my grandmother who 20 years ago handed me a book that changed my life.

- Mike Mitrano, Director