TAMPA, Fla. — On Friday night a dozen Bay area veterans will perform with local civilians and professional dancers to replicate life in the military and the struggle to transition out.

Performers began practicing together in April

Learn more at strazcenter.org

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“This has been an incredible project, the way the veterans and civilians have come together,” said veteran and performer Dwayne Scheuneman.

It’s part of a national production called the Diavolo Veterans Project. The performance aims to bridge the divide between veterans and civilians.

“You’re seeing a veteran deeply trusting a civilian that they never knew before,” said Art DeGroat, a veteran and director for the Diavolo Veteran’s Project.

Some of the moves are dangerous, but the trust forged between performers is helping veterans to heal.

“There are things that are going to happen that are not going to be easy, but you can still make it, you’re fine,” said veteran Stacy Moser.

The veterans and civilians began practicing together in April.

The performance will begin Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Straz Center of the Performing Arts. Learn more at strazcenter.org.