Ditty Bops: The Art of Listening is an immersive, multi-phase creative investigation that employs theater, dance, film, spoken word, photography, and morse-code infused music to advocate for hundreds of thousands of Veterans through the story of one Vietnam-era Veteran in Oklahoma City.
Exposure to Agent Orange during his service left Neil Chapman (USAF 6924th Ramasun, Thailand) with Parkinson’s Disease.
As his disease progresses, Neil waits for crucial support from his country.
His claim for benefits has been pending since 2019.
“The amount of research that was done during the creation process was evident throughout the performance — and I LOVED that audiences were given an opportunity for immediate action following the performance.” - Audience Member, OKC 8/26/2023
Audiences of the first round of live performances signed 269 letters to Congress and the White House urging action on behalf of Veterans mired in the VA Claims Backlog.
But we need to do more. We will remount live performances in November, 2024, and have committed a significant portion of our funding to produce a documentary of the project to bring Neil’s story to the nation. Please help. SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW.
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Join SPARK! Creative Lab for an immersive journey of art, empathy, and action in "Ditty Bops | The Art of Listening." Centered on the captivating story of Dr. Neil Chapman, a renowned photographer in Edmond, Oklahoma, this multi-arts project unveils the sacrifice and struggle behind his prestigious career. From his days as a Morse Code interceptor during the Vietnam War, to his battle with the devastating effects of Parkinson's Disease caused by Agent Orange, Chapman’s journey represents the hundreds of thousands of veterans whose voices remain unheard.
Through Morse Code-infused music, dynamic choreography, theater, rap, and visual art, we invite you to experience the profound impact of "Ditty Bops The Art of Listening," set against the backdrop of Chapman’s powerful Mannequins photographs.
Join us as we listen, reflect, and advocate for a compassionate community that honors our veterans' service and amplifies their voices. Together, let's embrace our community’s power, redefine the art of listening and create lasting change.
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LISTEN. Ask a Veteran what you can do to support them. Listen to what they say, and help if you can. Many simply want to be acknowledged as humans.
SUPPORT VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES. A spreadsheet of Oklahoma businesses owned by veterans can be found here.
VOLUNTEER. The Dale K. Graham Foundation in Norman, OK, is actively seeking volunteers to help Veterans navigate the VA claims process. Click here!
WRITE TO YOUR LEGISLATORS Here’s a link to our Morse Code letter, for you to send yourself.
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When we began Ditty Bops, clams waiting in the VA’s backlog were +/- 125,000. As of April 2024, a staggering 316,319 Veterans are still waiting for disability claims to be reviewed. We are pouring our resources into a short documentary to bring public attention to a crisis of care for our Veterans. Learn more about the film, and ways you can help, HERE.
READ THE 2023 PROGRAM