The College of the Canyons Theater is presenting Shirley Lauro’s “A Piece of My Heart” beginning Friday, Oct. 6, at the Black Box Theater.

Directed by Erin McBride Africa, the play is based on the true stories of six women who were sent to Vietnam, an experience that would irrevocably change their lives forever.

Approximately 7,500 women served on active military duty during the Vietnam War, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

“This is a show asking us to bear witness to what these brave women lived through,” said McBride Africa. “We’ve had a number of people from the community come in and share their experiences with the cast. It has a tremendous learning experience for us all.”

Since its premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1991, it has enjoyed more than 1,000 productions in the U.S. and abroad. It has recently been named “The most enduring play on Vietnam in the nation” by The Vietnam Vets Association.

Performances are scheduled 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct., 6, 7, and 14; matinees are scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 and 15.

The cast and crew is comprised solely of College of the Canyons theatre students.

General admission tickets are $12. Tickets for students and seniors are $6.

The college’s theatre department is offering free tickets to high school history teachers and their students.

On Friday, Oct. 13, a special performance will be held for local veterans, which will include a talkback and reception. Tickets to the 8 p.m. performance and reception are free, however seating is limited.  Advance reservations are required.  

The college’s theatre department is also offering free tickets to high school theatre and social study teachers and their students to select “A Piece of My Heart” performances.

For all ticket requests and reservations, please email david.stears@canyons.edu.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at (661) 362-5304 or visit the PAC website.

About the COC Theatre Department

Part of the college’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Theatre Department offers a highly regarded transfer program with three degree options available to students in the field. Students interested in attending a performance or learning more about the program are encouraged to send an email totheatre@canyons.edu.

For more information, visit the department’s website or Facebook page.

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