Writing/Essay/Journal

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, written and directed by Peter Rothstein and performed by vocal ensemble Cantus, is about the unofficial truce and cease-fire that occurred during the First World War around Christmas Eve.

In what ways does Peter Rothstein put a human face on war? Is it effective? Think about this historical event occurring in a modern context. Would it be possible? And if so, what would it look like?

Activity
Peter Rothstein used a lot of primary sources to inform the writing of All Is Calm, and even integrates them into the production itself with projections of archival photographs onto the set and dramatic readings from actual letters sent by WWI soldiers.

Choose a specific event in history and draft a short dramatic piece that illuminates that event. Use primary sources in your research, and if you can, incorporate those primary resources into the production as Peter has done.