Beyond the etchings
behind the names on the Vietnam Wall
Vietnam & USA, 1964-1975.
Every day, visitors trace names etched into the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Behind each name lives a story—of soldiers who served and the mothers, wives, and sisters who carried their memory home. Infinite Variety Productions weaves oral histories, letters, and firsthand accounts from Vietnam War veterans and the families they left behind into moving documentary theatre. Through authentic testimony and intimate staging, IVP transforms personal loss into shared understanding, revealing the enduring connections between those who served and those who remember.
Written by Ash Singer, Kelly Teaford & Bob Staranowicz
Run time of 65 min
community response
Beyond the Etchings has created profound connections with veteran organizations and military families. The production's premiere at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC established its commitment to honoring both service members and their families within spaces of remembrance. Partnerships with the Women in Military Service for America Memorial and veteran advocacy groups have extended the play's impact beyond performance.
The work's collaborative creation with Vietnam veteran Bob Staranowicz has fostered authentic dialogue between veteran and civilian communities. Post-show conversations regularly feature veterans, Gold Star families, and military historians who help audiences understand the ongoing legacy of service and sacrifice.
Audience members frequently share how the intimate portrayal of grief and memory helps them connect with their own experiences of loss while honoring the broader community of those touched by war.
what people are saying
“Beyond the Etchings reminds us of the power of listening, remembering and connecting.”
Production History
Veteran’s Day 2016: first staged reading in front of The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Washington, DC. Directed by Jessica Schechter. Stage Managed by Carina Don. Featuring Andrew Dunn, Christianna Barnard, Deanna Supple, Gio Munguia,Jeannine Scarpino, Nestor Garland, Sharon Litwinoff.
2017: premiere at The Vietnam Memorial, downtown New York City for , as well as a continued run at The Kraine Theatre and Under St. Mark’s. Directed by Jessica Schechter. Stage managed by Carina Don. Featuring Andrew Dunn, Quincy Jean, Sharon Litwinoff, Joshua Michael Payne, and Marie Zoumanigui. A portion of the proceeds went to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.