Turning crazy into sane - New York - Tamar Rogoff, Daughter of a Pacifist Soldier - Brief Article

Dance Magazine, Feb, 2003 by Wendy Perron

During World Mental Health Day at the United Nations in October 2002, Tamar Rogoff gave a talk about her work with war veterans who were suffering from posttraumatic stress syndrome. Whereas medical experts reported on global violence and new interventions, Rogoff presented an excerpt of Daughter of a Pacifist Soldier (see "25 to Watch," DANCE MAGAZINE, January 2002, page 62). She told an audience of representatives from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States how the vets' lives changed through contributing their stories to her creative process. Said Rogoff, "It reduced their isolation, gave them pride, and passed down their stories to another generation. It turned their bad into good."

Nancy Wallace, organizer of the event, said, "Tamar tapped into the powerful capacity of art to transform and heal. The audience was moved. People from all over the world were crying."