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K-State Today

March 27, 2014

Military affairs director appointed to National Advisory Board

Submitted by Art DeGroat

Art DeGroat, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and K-State's director of military affairs, has been appointed to the National Advisory Board of the Basetrack Project.

The project is a nationally touring theatrical production and community engagement program that dramatizes the service and reintegration of Post 9/11 era war veterans. The project is an innovative, nonprofit effort produced by the founder and artistic director of New York City's award-winning theater company En Garde Productions. This production is aimed to blend arts and social services to create a broad awareness of the challenges faced by this current generation of military veterans.

Basetrack is a unique form of multimedia documentary theater based upon the award-winning photojouranlism of Teru Kuwayama as an embedded correspondent with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines in Afghanistan in 2010. The theatrical production will premier at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and then be presented to more than 20 cities and major university campuses per year during the next three year period. Select performances also will include a community catalyst event facilitated by the Veterans Mental Health Coalition of New York City for local citizens seeking better ways to assist veterans reintegrate back into civilian life.

DeGroat is responsible for strategic relations and tour development, fundraising support and community engagement strategies based upon his research expertise in veterans transition. He will speak at a national fundraising event hosted by the president and CEO of RKO Pictures, Ted Hartley and his wife, Dina Merrill — famed actress and heiress — in their New York City Penthouse on April 30. 

The Basetrack theatrical production will be presented at a venue and date to be announced in the central Kansas region in fall 2014.

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