"The energy shifted in the room when I first played," says third-generation Army veteran Theo Rooding. "I had never felt safe before this experience. That in itself was transformative."
Theo, born into a military family, dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. After his service in the military, he transitioned to a civilian role in law enforcement. His career was still unfolding when his life took an unexpected turn. His leg muscles deteriorated, and he lost mobility, likely due to exposure to chemicals during his time in service. Theo was abruptly medically retired.
"I completely lost all sense of self and who I was," Theo says. "I had nothing left after that."
Struggling with a profound sense of loss of identity, Theo searched for a new path—a journey that would lead him to the Veterans Civilian Art Ensemble (VCAE) program at Straz Center. Veterans and civilians come together at VCAE to express themselves, find support and explore the healing power of the arts.
Fueled by donor support, VCAE is guided by professional teaching artists and offers diverse art forms, including improvisation, poetry, music, movement and visual art. The program meets biweekly for discussions and creative exploration throughout the fall and winter. As spring approaches, the focus shifts toward a rehearsal-based process, culminating in a professionally produced showcase performance at Straz.
In a supportive space to explore his emotions, Theo began to rediscover his sense of self through artistic expression. "That first introduction, I said, 'I'm Theo and I play the guitar.' That gave me something to say that I am: I am a guitar player."
Theo wants his story to serve as a testament to the transformative power of the arts, reaching other veterans struggling with the transition back into civilian life. “We’re trained in violence, which serves a purpose in military situations, but in the regular world, there’s no need for it,” Theo reflects, “Beyond just being creative, I’m learning to be a better human.”