Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — The emotions of war hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, with the world premiere tour performance of "Basetrack" at Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium.

"Basetrack" draws on the power of individual stories to examine the collective experience of those who have served in America's longest war. "Basetrack" is adapted from the Facebook page and website created by photojournalist Teru Kuwayama to let soldiers and their families communicate during the war in Afghanistan.

The site received more than 5 million hits and evolved into an unprecedented online community. It enabled civilians and military personnel on opposite sides of the world to track news from the front line, exchange information and develop relationships with people in similar situations. By creating platform where participants could freely communicate, the social media site democratized how the war was recorded and will be incorporated into history.

The theatrical production of "Basetrack" is on a limited national tour before it premiers at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York on Nov. 11. It takes actual text from the site and pairs it with interviews with Marines filmed while in the theatre of war to create an educational, moving and inspirational work for all ages. Using theatre, music, news media, journalism and technology as a bridge with the military, community and the broader public, "Basetrack" looks at the legacy of war on veterans.

Tickets for "Basetrack" start at $14.50, plus applicable taxes and fees, and are available now at the McCain Auditorium box office, online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain, or by calling 785-532-6428.