05/23/2026
'As a young actor, Taurel made a living as a personal trainer in New York City. Each morning, he got off the train at the World Trade Center, bought a cup of coffee and walked to the gym where he worked.
On Sept. 11, 2001, he had just arrived at the gym, about a quarter mile from the World Trade Center, when a plane struck the North Tower. He watched both towers fall, and the experience drove him to begin creating “The American Soldier,” he said.
“If you were, you know, very close to the towers, and you saw them falling with your own eyes — it was very impactful,” Taurel said. “And so I was just completely fascinated and glued to and obsessed with what was happening in the Middle East.”
He became particularly impacted by stories of soldiers who had done multiple tours in Afghanistan and couldn't afford to pay their bills — and the high su***de rates among veterans. He said he felt that the public was apathetic about what was happening abroad, with U.S. service members and about voting.
"I'm not really an activist, but I guess that was my form of activism. I decided I wanted to write a play," he said.'
From The Post and Courier interview May 21, 2026
THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
May 29, 30 & 31 at the Queen Street Playhouse
Tickets: footlightplayers.net
