“Scrap Heap” performance raises awareness of military service impact

Ohio University’s Veteran and Military Student Services Center, with support from the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, will present “Scrap Heap,” a raw, immersive theater performance that explores the psychological and emotional toll of military service. The performance, based on the true story of a combat Veteran, will take place at the Baker Theater in Baker University Center on Monday, March 24, at 6 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public and will conclude with a community talk-back, hosted by the Director of Veteran and Military Student Services Terry St. Peter, and light refreshments.

“We're excited to bring this important performance to our community,” said St. Peter, who is also co-chair of the Ohio Veterans Education Council (OVEC). “‘Scrap Heap’ offers an unfiltered lens into the challenges military service members face, from trauma and moral conflict to the struggles of reintegrating into civilian life. It’s a powerful story that has the potential to create empathy and foster understanding.”

“Scrap Heap” is written and performed by Kevin McClatchy, head of Acting and Directing in the Ohio State University Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts. McClatchy draws inspiration for the performance from his lifelong friendship with a combat veteran named Jeff. Through an intimate, one-man performance, McClatchy tells the story of Jeff, offering an honest and vulnerable look at the physical and psychological impacts of war.

“The Veterans community is often celebrated in periodic ways that feel perfunctory and obligatory; also, there remain numerous misconceptions and stereotypes regarding Veterans,” McClatchy said. “Storytelling is hard-wired in human beings – it is how we make sense of what happens in our lives. To bear witness to a person’s story, to communalize that experience, is incredibly powerful. To do that in a setting that brings in a variety of people together – people who might not normally get together – to share about what military service really means, what the costs of war really are, what the benefits of service to something outside of yourself really are, and what responsibility any particular community has in a Veteran’s transition from service to civilian – is a compelling step toward communication, empathy and genuine understanding.”

The idea for "Scrap Heap" came from McClatchy's reflection on the people in his life impacted by military service. He recalled how his father, a Marine in World War II, lived the last 60 years of his life with undiagnosed PTSD, and how it would have been invaluable to have understood those experiences growing up. He also learned about his friend Jeff's remarkable military service and struggles with the VA, mental health, and physical challenges during a six-week stay in LA, which inspired the character of Scrap Heap. Additionally, McClatchy’s nephew Jimmy, an Iraq War veteran, returned from two tours with his own difficulties transitioning to civilian life. In 2011, as a graduate student, McClatchy began creating "Scrap Heap" for his MFA acting program final project, initially producing a 20-minute version. He wanted the show to be intensely physical, immersing the audience in Jeff’s experience, which he emphasizes through the sound design. He later expanded both the technical elements and the script to the performance it is today.

“These personal experiences led me to find ways to raise awareness about Veterans' issues and untold stories through the performing arts, which ultimately sparked the creation of the show,” McClatchy added.

The performance invites audience members to engage in an interactive theater experience, as McClatchy not only performs but also engages with the audience, prompting questions and fostering conversation throughout the performance. The post-performance community discussion will allow attendees to reflect on the show and share their perspectives.

The idea to bring “Scrap Heap” to OHIO came after a member of the Ohio Veterans Education Council (OVEC) brought McClatchy to a meeting to present on his work that he had done at the Wexner Center for the Arts with this performance.

“After hearing about Kevin’s project and being excited about his passion, we reached out to him to see if he would be willing to bring this to OHIO,” St. Peter explained. “We wanted to help bring this story to more people and allow them to see the challenges veterans face when reintegrating into civilian life.”

Although McClatchy is not a Veteran himself, he uses this performance to relay to civilians the deep commitment that military service members make to the nation and community and the struggles they face when returning home and needing support to rejoin society.

“The performance offers a valuable perspective for civilians to understand what life is like in the military and how it shapes service members. The impact isn’t limited to just the time in service but extends into their civilian life, relationships, and personal well-being,” St. Peter noted.

“Scrap Heap” is funded by the Ohio State University Artist Laureate Program and the Office of Academic Affairs. The performance and its community engagement components aim to deepen the understanding of the sacrifices made by military service members and inspire a more compassionate approach to addressing their needs as they return to civilian life.

“I have a firm belief that sharing an artistic experience, a Community Conversation and some great food is a wonderful gateway to finding connective tissue in our seemingly disparate life experiences,” McClatchy explained. “When we decide to communalize an experience through storytelling and a shared conversation, amazing things can happen.”

While the performance is open to all members of the public, it deals with themes such as combat trauma, PTSD, and suicide, and includes explicit language. It is recommended for adults, and viewer discretion is advised. The piece lasts approximately 55 minutes.

Resources, including PTSD and suicide prevention support, will be available on-site through OHIO’s Counseling and Psychological Services.

About Ohio University’s Veteran and Military Student Services Center
The Veteran and Military Student Services Center at Ohio University provides support to military veterans and their families through resources, outreach, and a strong campus community. The Center works to ensure that veterans transitioning from military service to academic life are successful in achieving their educational and professional goals.

About Kevin McClatchy
Kevin McClatchy is the Head of Acting and Directing in OSU’s Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts. He is also the director of the OSU Shakespeare & Veterans Initiative and the OSU Shakespeare and Autism Project. With a career spanning over 30 years in theater, film, and television, McClatchy has been working to connect the arts with military communities through performances and workshops. He has been facilitating workshops for the military community since 2016 and did a week-long residency with Scrap Heap at the Wexner Center for the Arts in July 2023.

About OVEC
The Ohio Veterans Education Council (OVEC) is a group of higher education professionals across Ohio focused on veteran and military services on campus. The council works together to share best practices for supporting students, particularly veterans, and to raise awareness about veterans' issues in higher education.