How two theatre students keep history alive and pay respects to those who served

Arizona State University’s Salute to Service week, from Nov. 7-17, aimed to pay respect to those who served this country and to honor its history. The play “From Tidworth with Love,” presented by the Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement was one of the final events of the week, taking place at the Aravaipa Auditorium of the Polytechnic campus, the site of the former Williams Field Air Force Base. 

The play starred two students studying theatre at the Herberger Institute – Jaden Parker as American World War II soldier Bill Barker and Stephanie Bone as nursing student Mary Giambrone. The play chronicled the dynamic relationship between the two that became heavily tested by Barker’s deployment in Tidworth, England amidst the harrowing war. 

On the first night of the play, there were around 80 people in the crowd, and seven people raised their hands when Wanda Wright, the director of the Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement who served in the Air Force herself, asked if there were any veterans in the audience. 

This play was written and brought to life by David Barker, a theatre artist, an emeritus professor at ASU and the son of Bill Barker. Barker wrote this play to pay homage to his parent’s unwavering bond and the war’s history. 

Bone took huge pride in participating in the play, as she thinks it is more important now than ever that people embrace history. 

“I think it's really important to me because history is dying, and I think the only thing to keep it alive is people like David Barker,” Bone said. “This play is going to live on forever. And it's really important for people to understand rich history and something as world-altering as wars.” 

There were numerous props used on the stage to tell the story of the Barkers, such as the bed Bill would sleep on overseas, a typewriter Mary used to write her letters, chests holding picnic blankets and utensils as well as the two characters’ respective uniforms.

The play chronicled the entire relationship between the two as the war progressed, starting from an awkward first date to Bill proposing to Mary. However, their budding connection was halted when Barker was deployed in Tidworth for the remainder of the war, delaying the marriage by three years. Bone and Parker would act out what the two would write to each other in letters. Much of what Bill could say about where he was was classified, so Mary would try to tell where he was using context clues. The pair’s wills were tested by time, the uncertainty of the war and other suitors, yet their love stayed true until Bill finally returned to the United States, allowing them to fulfill their marriage.

Mary Jayne Hunkler-Swallow was one of the audience members for the play. She found out about it from reading a Veteran’s Day advertisement in a newspaper. She and her sister grew up in the area and were glad this play brought them back to see how it has changed.

“We like to try different venues to see what they're like and knowing we grew up when this was Willie Air Force Base, it's fun to come back on the base and it just sounded like a great story,” Hunkler-Swallow said. “I thought (the play) was very good. I can't believe how they can memorize all that.” 

On the note of preparation, Bone said she and Parker had a turnaround of just three months to put this play together. Bone said it was demanding to memorize about two hours' worth of lines, but she was fortunate to have a great team to help prepare her and Parker. 

“It’s a lot of lines, but luckily we have a really amazing dramaturge,” Bone said. “He provided us all the information about what it's like to be a nursing student during the war and what it's like to be a soldier during the war. So, we got really lucky that we didn't have to research that ourselves, and I had it right in front of me. And before every single rehearsal, I would read what it's like to be a nursing student during the war, to refresh my mind and put myself in that mindset.”

The final curtain fell on the play and Salute to Service, casting a theme of resilience onto the audience. ASU’s campaign celebrated those who have put service ahead of themselves to protect their country. “From Tidworth With Love” was the final tribute to recognize the country’s history and those who have sacrificed for it.