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| CJ Mascarelli and Michael Bundy II in Medal of Honor at Arizona Frontline Theatre photo by Kailey Mattheisen |
by Gil Benbrook
Michael Maisano has dedicated his life to giving a voice to those who too often go unheard. A veteran and psychologist, he founded The Silent Survivors Project as a way to use live theatre to raise awareness around the mental health challenges faced by those who serve. Now, through Arizona Frontline Theatre, he is bringing Tom Cole’s searing drama Medal of Honor Rag to the stage beginning this week and running through November 1, continuing his mission of shedding light on the invisible scars of war.
In Medal of Honor Rag, audiences meet D.J., a decorated Black soldier and Medal of Honor recipient, whose time in Vietnam has left him haunted and broken. His sessions with a psychiatrist in an army hospital quickly unravel into a battle of words, exposing pain, guilt, and truths neither man can easily face. The play offers a raw and emotional look into trauma, survival, and the hope for healing, and Maisano believes it is exactly the kind of story that needs to be shared.
Maisano’s path to this work is both professional and deeply personal. With a Doctorate in Psychology and years of experience studying the unique needs of veterans, he has long been committed to understanding how service leaves its mark. His own journey as a veteran showed him firsthand the struggles many face when returning home. Out of this passion, The Silent Survivors Project was born, and with it, a commitment to creating theatre that informs, challenges, and ultimately helps communities better understand those who have sacrificed so much.
Can you give us some details about how your founded The Silent Survivors Project, your work with the organization, along with your goals for Arizona Frontline Theatre?
"Arizona Frontline Theatre is a fundraising mechanism for the Silent Survivors Project. Proceeds from each ticket purchased will go to support our mission to fight the stigma of mental health in our military and Veteran communities. The mission of The Silent Survivor’s Project is to fight the stigma of mental health in our Veteran and Military communities through entertainment, education and research. I started the nonprofit in 2024. "
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"I was drawn to the story about the impact of combat on a Medal of Honor winner. Mr. Cole’s psychiatrist is a strong representation of a good mental health professional working with a Veteran who suffers from PTSD. Even though it was written over 45 years ago, the story is still viable today. We could change the war from Vietnam to Iraq/Afghanistan and it would be a very similar story. "
As both a veteran and a psychologist, how did your personal and professional experiences inform your decision to stage this powerful story?
"I have similar experiences as both the characters of the Doctor and the Veteran. I could tell several stories similar to this story."
Medal of Honor Rag confronts the emotional aftermath of war in an intense, one-on-one setting. What do you hope audiences take away from this emotional confrontation?
"I believe an audience will be moved by this story and some Veterans will be able to align with the Veteran in the play. I hope the audiences will leave the performance and then talk about the story with their family and friends. I hope that anyone who has not served in the military will have a greater appreciation what the cost of going to war has on many of our Veterans. "
What unique challenges and opportunities come with presenting such a psychologically complex piece on stage?
"I believe the hardest part about telling stories that are very emotional, not many people want to work on a project that is so raw. "
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| CJ Mascarelli and Michael Bundy II in Medal of Honor at Arizona Frontline Theatre photo by Kailey Mattheisen |
How do you approach working with actors to ensure the emotional weight of the story is delivered authentically while also safeguarding their mental well-being during the process?
"I believe that the actors are the most important part of a project like this one. They have to have their own ideas as to what the character’s journey was and how they came to this point in time. I want the actors to make the character real for the audience. "
What role do you think live theatre can play in advancing public understanding of veteran mental health issues?
"I was told by a playwright and Navy Veteran that we can talk and preach about the importance of mental health, but when you tell a story the impact is greater. This show and the shows we have planned next year will entertain and educate. We hope to raise awareness and keep the conversation going. "
Beyond the October production of Medal of Honor Rag, what are your future plans for productions to fit into the larger goals of The Silent Survivors Project and your ongoing work in veteran mental health advocacy?
"In 2026, we plan to bring five shows to the valley. We will produce two shows in the Spring, one in the Summer and two in the Fall. Many of the shows are works written by military Veterans. We hope to launch our Summer of Shorts. These are short plays about military service and the sacrifice families face when a military member goes to war. We are planning our fundraising Gala for January of 2026 and this will be where we announce the 2026 shows."
What advice would you give to other theatre makers or organizations who want to use the arts to explore and elevate mental health awareness, particularly within military communities?
"You have to go for it. Don’t be afraid of mental health. I believe that mental health is as important as physical and spiritual health. Not all military stories have a negative mental health component. We should highlight the mental toughness, grit and resiliency of our Veterans. Mental health is not a dirty word.
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