American Actresses Bring Ukrainian Women's War Stories to Stage, Raising $11,000 for Medics

On September 19, 2024, the Brooklyn Center for Theatre Research hosted "Diary of War: Women," a moving benefit reading that brought the powerful stories of Ukrainian women impacted by the Russian invasion to life. Featuring American actresses recounting firsthand accounts of these women's harrowing experiences, the event raised over $11,000 for the Hospitallers, a Ukrainian volunteer medic battalion.

"Diary of War: Women" is a powerful performance that originated from the "Diary of War" documentary podcast by Ukrainian cultural activist and Time Magazine's Next Generation Leader, Daria Kolomiec. Now adapted for the stage, this project brings to life the raw and emotional stories of Ukrainians affected by the full-scale Russian invasion, offering audiences a deeply personal glimpse into the war's devastating impact.

The reading directed by Musa Gurnis featured accounts from seven courageous Ukrainian women:

• Iryna Tsybukh (call sign Cheka), a film producer and a project manager in civilian life, shares her work as a combat medic in the Hospitallers volunteer battalion, evacuating soldiers in hot spots on the front line. In May 2024, she was killed during her rotation.

• Tetyana Kuzmenko recounts her experiences living under Russian occupation in the Kyiv region, providing insight into the harsh realities of those times.

• Olena Nikulina: the wife of Maksym Nikulin, a soldier of the Azov Regiment. She describes learning about her second pregnancy while her husband was at the Azovstal factory surrounded by Russians. Since his capture, Olena has not heard from Maksym, and he has never met his son.

• Julia Kochetova: a photojournalist who regularly works in Ukraine's most dangerous places, reporting about Russian war crimes. She was awarded an Emmy in 2023 and a World Press Photo Award in 2024 for her work.

• Anastasia Shevchenko (STASIK): A singer, actress, and war veteran, Anastasia reflects on her experiences of hostilities and life before the full-scale war. Shortly after recording, she rejoined the army.

• Olha Bulkina describes her work as a clown at Kyiv's Ohmatdyt, the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, which was recently struck by a Russian missile.

• Valeria Mykhailovska describes her emotional journey from the Czech Republic to rescue her mother and dogs from Mariupol. Her story captures the brave risks taken and personal sacrifices made during the invasion.

The reading was brought to life by a talented cast of actresses:

• Zuzanna Szadkowski (“Gossip Girl”, “The Knick”, “Girls”) as Olena Nikulina

• Annabel Capper (“For Life”, “New Amsterdam”) as Tetyana Kuzmenko

• Merlinda Akindele as Iryna Tsybukh

• Tessa Weinland as Julia Kochetova

• Agnes Enkhtamir as Olha Bulkina

• Khali Sykes as Anastasia Shevchenko

• Tatienne Hendricks-Tellefsen as Valeria Mykhailovska

Daria Kolomiec emphasized the depth of preparation required to bring these stories to life.

"For meaningful work with this material, it was crucial that each actress not only understood the narrative but also felt a connection to what it means to be Ukrainian. I immersed them in the context of the ongoing war, showing them what it's like to fight for freedom, to live through invasion, and to navigate life in the middle of such devastation. Each actress learned about the personal backgrounds of the women they were portraying—what happened to them after they shared their stories, and how the war continues to impact their lives. I even shared the social media profiles of the original narrators to give a fuller picture of who these women are," she said.

She continued, "What really amazed me was how deeply the actresses got involved during the charity auction. They didn’t just perform; they became advocates, urging the audience to donate. Khali Sykes, for example, said this experience changed her life. She made sure all her family and friends now know about Ukraine, and we aim for a similar impact on everyone who hears these stories."

At the end of the reading, Daria Kolomiec provided updates on the lives of the original narrators, while actress Agnes Enkhtamir read a message from Olha Bulkina, who described the July 2024 missile attack on Ohmatdyt hospital. Despite the devastation, Bulkina continues her work there, helping children cope with both illness and the trauma of war.