THOMAS WARD

I don’t know how to write stories about heroes. I don’t relate to heroes. I don’t know how to write characters who are exceptional human beings. I was watching American Sniper and it came to the part where Chris Kyle was in boot camp or whatever it’s called for Navy Seals. They were all being pushed to the limit physically and psychologically. They were being yelled at by the drill sergeants or whatever they’re called. There’s a bell that any soldier can go to if they wa

There’s a story I tell about my wife when we were in college. We had been dating for awhile and were madly in love. We still are of course, but this was that new relationship kind of love that’s frightening to remember. We were both theatre majors and both actors. I was at my apartment one night while she was at a rehearsal for a play. She was playing a character who, through the course of the play, had gotten her former attacker tied up in a chair while holding a gun on

I’m finishing up my two weeks of professional development before beginning my first year as an elementary school theater teacher. It’s been a great couple of weeks. I’m nervous and excited. Happy to have a job. Unsure of my ability with young kids. Questioning the choice to go back into a classroom. Happy to have a paycheck and benefits. When I interviewed for the position they asked me why I wanted to teach elementary, as most of my previous teaching experience has bee

The older I get, the less I will enjoy any kind of accomplishment. When I was voted class favorite in the fifth grade I remember running with joy. When the cast list for the big musical went up in college and my name was next to Tevye, my knees buckled and I immediately found a phone to call my parents. When I got into grad school I jumped up and down. Literally jumped. Up and down in one place. Tomorrow I have a meeting with a theater about a play of mine that is being p