Advisory: “A Piece of My Heart” contains adult situations, language, and descriptions of violence that may not be suitable for children under 13. Parental guidance is suggested. 

Written by Shirley Lauro, a powerful, true drama of six women who went to Vietnam: nurses, a Red Cross volunteer and a USO country-western singer. The latter is booked to entertain the troops by an unscrupulous agent. Follow each young woman’s story before, during, and after her tour in the war-torn nation. It was named “The most enduring play on Vietnam in the nation,” by The Vietnam Vets Association.

Two matinee performances added: Sat 5/13 and Sat 5/20, both at 3:00pm

RLT’s Women and War series explores the experiences of women at home and in combat during times of war. To accompany A Piece of My Heart, which is set during the Vietnam War, Grounded and Downrange: Voices from the Homefront look at the current experience of military service.

Director: Mia Self

Support and Sponsors

This project is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

Also supported by a grant from the Paul Green Foundation, Inc. Serving the Arts and Human Rights since 1982. Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

A Piece of My Heart is part of the American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region’s 100th anniversary celebration.

RLT presents two audience engagement events related to “A Piece of My Heart”

To Any Soldier

Thursday, May 11 at 7:00pm
Lobby of the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre

Meet Kathryn Watson Quigg, the author of To Any Soldier, a Novel of Vietnam Letters. Kathryn will talk about the novel and several of the letters from the book will be performed by local actors! No ticket or reservation required.

A Panel Discussion with Larry Hines and James R. Wilson

Thursday, May 18 at 7:00pm
Lobby of the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre

Patrick Torres (RLT Artistic Director) will interview Larry Hines, a Red Cross Volunteer or “Donut Dolly” in Vietnam from 1968-69, and James R. Wilson a journalist and Army press officer in Vietnam and author of Landing Zones: Southern Veterans Remember Vietnam, to breathe real life experiences into the characters of A Piece of My Heart. No ticket or reservation required.

Narrative Writing Workshop for Military Families

Led by Deb Royals, Justice Theater Project

Saturday, May 27 at 1:00pm
Lobby of the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre

For questions or to RSVP, email Patrick Torres (patrick@raleighlittletheatre.org)