If you’ve been driving around the Mount Vernon Public Square in the past week, listened to WMVO radio, attended Mount Vernon Arts Consortium’s showcase or browsed upcoming events on the Public Library’s calendar, chances are you’ve seen or heard something about "An Enemy of the People: A Theater Project From America’s Hometown." Unlike traditional theater performances, Theater of War Productions offers an immersive experience in which the audience is encouraged to engage in the action onstage by rooting for their heroes, heckling villains, and — most importantly— by participating in the post-play discussion about what resonates with them, and find common ground. 

The library is hosting info sessions across Knox County on March 25 and 26 with Bryan Doerries, artistic director of Theater of War Productions. The info sessions give area residents a chance to talk with Doerries about how theater facilitates conversations, his history working with Veterans, what a Henrik Ibsen play from 1892 offers contemporary audiences, and his longstanding ties to the Knox County community. 

Doerries is a 1998 graduate of Kenyon College who hails from southern Virginia and now lives in New York City. However, he has long been interested in Knox County and the broader community— an interest that began in his days as a student. 

“Bryan and I were classmates at Kenyon,” said Library Deputy Director Jamie Lyn Smith-Fletcher. “I’m from Centerburg, and eagerly took my friends on excursions to my favorite local places. Bryan’s interest in the communities in Knox County ran deep even then…he was always drawing people into long conversations at places like Ike’s Diner, Honey Run waterfall, the Tomato Show, and Flappers. His curiosity makes him such a great storyteller, and I’m really pleased the Library could bring Theater of War Productions to Mount Vernon and Gambier.”  

For more detailed information about each session, contact the library at (740) 392-2665 or visit knox.net.