This spring, our talented Troubies brought A Piece of My Heart, a deeply moving play by Shirley Lauro, to life on stage. They truly immersed themselves in the stories of women who endured one of the most challenging and often overlooked chapters of American history: women who served in the Vietnam War. Their performance of Lauro’s powerful work, based on real stories from the Vietnam War, was a testament to their dedication, passion, and ability to bring history to life in a way that connected deeply with the audience.

The play centers on the experiences of five women who served during the Vietnam War, each with a story that reveals the courage, sacrifice, and the trauma these women faced. Our talented cast included Rey Becerril, as American Men, Gianna Guthrie played Swing MaryJo & Whitney, Selah Burnley portrayed Steele, Kate O’Neill played Whitney, Emma Kolitsos was cast as Sissy, Faith Oliver acted as MaryJo, Isabelle Tacas Johnson portrayed Leeann, and Maddison O’Brien played the part of Martha. Each actress embodied her character with incredible authenticity, moving from moments of quiet reflection to scenes of heart-wrenching emotion. Whether it was the devastation of loss, the tension of war, or the camaraderie that helped these women survive, the students made each moment feel real, pulling the audience into their world.

The student crew behind the scenes worked tirelessly during rehearsals and the performances to bring the production together and ensure every aspect of the play ran smoothly. Led by Stage Manager Mary Gaffey, Assistant Stage Managers Sophie Ericson and Rosie Lara, Assistant Producer Kinnera Tirumala, Assistant Director Bailey McLaughlin, Assistant Scenic Director Evealina Carrasco, Assistant Technical Director and Assistant Lighting Designer Katie Worley, and Production Assistant Kate O’Neill, the crew also consisted of Jolyssa Robinson, who oversaw front of house, along with Georgia Freed, front of house/wardrobe,  Alexis Andrews and Isabella Manley operated the sound board.

What made this production even more special was the way it connected the students to history. Many of the students shared how much they learned through the process, not just about the play itself and the historical events, but about the women they were portraying.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generous support from our community. Our Troubie community extends a huge thank you to Dave Veden from NorCal Pro AV Support, whose expertise in sound technology has been a critical part of every St. Francis theater production for over 30 years. His support allowed the students to focus on their performances while he ensured that every sound cue, every piece of music, and every line of dialogue reached every ear in the packed audience.

We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Sacramento State University community, who supported our production in a variety of ways. Katelyn, a student from Sac State, worked closely with our cast, offering guidance and sharing her knowledge.

Another significant partnership was with the Capitol Museum, which answered countless questions from the students and provided valuable historical insights that helped bring authenticity to the performance. Understanding the history of the Vietnam War and its impact on the people who lived through it was crucial to the production, and the museum played a key role in making sure the students had the resources they needed.

The timing of the production was also particularly meaningful as it took place during the week of March 7-15, giving a special and solemn nod to the 60th anniversary of American combat troops entering Vietnam on March 8th. Although we didn’t perform on this particular date, we took a moment to reflect on its importance. This anniversary served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many during the war, and it was deeply woven into the fabric of our production.

The Patrons of the Arts parent group played a huge role in funding the rehearsals and making sure the students had everything they needed to succeed. We also want to thank the Dad’s Club for providing meals and snacks during tech rehearsals—those long hours of preparation were made just a little bit easier with their support.

In the end, A Piece of My Heart wasn’t just a play—it was an experience that shaped the students, the audience, and everyone who was involved.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and passion that our students brought to this production. Their ability to connect with such an important piece of history and bring it to life on stage is a testament to their talent and commitment. This production has left a lasting impact on everyone involved, and we are excited to see where our Troubies’ journeys in the arts will take them next.

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