The Freedom Tower

Six people directly affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center will share their stories in a benefit called Performing Tribute Oct. 20-21 at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in Manhattan, according to Playbill.

The 7:30 PM performances are presented by The Tribute WTC Visitor Center, a not-for-profit organization that provides a destination for visitors coming to Ground Zero. The center was created by the September 11th Families’ Association to share the personal stories of victims, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers and residents of Lower Manhattan.

According to production notes, Performing Tribute “consists of perspectives from six individuals who were separately yet directly impacted by the events of 9/11 — family members who lost loved ones, a survivor who lived through the bombing of the WTC on Feb. 26, 1993 and the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, an evacuated resident of Liberty Street on the South side of the WTC site, a retired FDNY firefighter who responded on Sept. 11, 2001, and a New Jersey resident who came to help by volunteering with the Salvation Army. The individual experiences are told first-hand and woven together in a theatrical presentation sharing their unique and inspiring responses.”

Performers will include Gerry Bogacz, Bridget Damiano, Gail Langsner, Paul McFadden, Katherine M. Richardson and Ann Van Hine.

Donna Kaz, a Tribute Center volunteer and a playwright and director, has combined the Tribute volunteers’ personal experiences into this 75-minute stage production.

The play, which will be a script-in-hand experience, “explores the neighborhood and community of the World Trade Center, the timeline of events of 9/11, and the months of recovery effort. Volunteers share their individual challenges, stories of healing, and how the Tribute Center has inspired their hope for the future.”

Kaz told Playbill.com, “We hope this will move on to more productions, eventually touring, so that those who can’t come to the site will be able to hear the stories.”

The production’s designers include Daniel Brodie (projection design), Dan Hansell (lighting design) and Ann Warren (composer, sound design).

Each presentation Oct. 20-21 will begin with a 6:30 PM reception, followed by a 7:30 PM performance, as well as a chance to meet the performers and enjoy coffee and dessert at 8:45 PM.

The Tribute Center volunteer training program “combines the academic, performing arts, spiritual, and therapeutic disciplines. The comprehensive program helps volunteers learn to define their own stories in relation to 9/11 and provides emotional guidance enabling volunteers to further their healing process.”

The Tribeca Performing Arts Center is located at 199 Chambers Street between Greenwich and West Streets.