Eric Mansfield’s play, “Love in Reserve” will come to life in Rubber City Theatre in Akron this month, proving that he is more than a Kent State staff member.

The original play by Kent State’s communications and marketing vice president was named a national semi-finalist by Arts in the Armed Forces and will be performed Nov. 5 through 20. 

The story follows former high school sweethearts and newlyweds Ray and Kate Strong as they navigate life after Ray joins the army and is deployed to Iraq during the war.

Mansfield gained inspiration for this piece from his experience as a former United States serviceman. He served in the Army National Guard, is an Iraq War veteran and a retired major. Another source of inspiration came from other military couples and families he knows. 

“Everything that Ray and Kate go through are a bit autobiographical, similar to what my wife Lisa and I went through, but much of it comes from other military couples,” Mansfield said. “So Ray and Kate are not my wife, Lisa and I. But they’re very much a compilation of what other military couples have gone through in their relationships.”

Mansfield also felt like it was very important to bring awareness to the struggles those in the military, their partners and family members endure.

“The military is only 1% of Americans, so most Americans don’t know what it’s like to serve,” Mansfield said. “It’s also really tough to be a military spouse and military spouses are a significant kind of special person because of what they endure. They need real support, as well as the children of military deployed service members.”

Showtimes and tickets for Eric Mansfield’s Love In Reverse, are available at https://www.rubbercitytheatre.com/. 

Jordan Coleman covers the arts and entertainment. Contact her at [email protected].