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I remember the first time I heard about a Green Beret who had written a play to help heal from his time served during the Global War on Terror. I was newly married to my own Green Beret when Scott reached out, knowing I was a professional actor and might want to read it. I was struck by the idea of someone with no formal theatre training turning to storytelling as a means of survival. It felt so primitive in the best possible way. It stripped theatre down to its purest purpose. I was hooked.
I followed that play, Last Out, as it toured the country, became a film on Amazon Prime during COVID, and then returned to the stage. Eventually, I had the honor of playing the role of Lynn in a sold-out performance for first responders on Staten Island. Through all of it, I learned something profound. Learning to tell your story can heal not only yourself, but those who listen.
That belief is the heart of Task Force Pineapple. Now, as TFP opens its second full-length production, we are deeply honored that you are here to support it. This story, centered on friendship and promises kept between veterans and their Afghan allies, reminds me of the promise we strive to make to our own veterans and first responders. We will not forget. We are here with you. And we want to listen.
We exist to support veterans, first responders, and their families by creating space for their stories to be seen, validated, and shared in their own voices. In our work, writers, actors, directors, and audiences come together to allow our human experiences to be shared, unloaded, and unburdened. I hope you feel that tonight, and in every show we produce.
By being in this audience, you are helping us continue this work. If this experience resonates with you, we invite you to support our mission by sharing what you have seen, encouraging others to attend, and considering a donation. Every act of support helps us keep telling these stories and building bridges between civilian and veteran communities.
We are deeply grateful to be on this mission with people like you.
– Gracyn Mix
TFP Artistic Director
11 Days: The Story of Operation Pineapple Express is a powerful, firsthand account of the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the extraordinary civilian-led rescue mission that emerged in its wake. Based on the New York Times Bestseller, “Operation Pineapple Express.”
Told by the veterans, allies, and family members who lived it, 11 Days chronicles the moral reckoning, urgency, and human cost behind Operation Pineapple Express – an ad hoc network that worked against the clock to evacuate Afghan allies left behind. Through raw storytelling and lived experience, the performance invites audiences to confront what happens when war ends on paper, but not in reality.
This is not a political statement. It is a human one.
TIME
The present. But also the past. And everywhen in between.
PLACE
Outside Abbey Gate at HKIA in Kabul, Afghanistan. But also Scott’s backyard in Riverview, Florida, and other locations as needed.
This performance contains:
Viewer discretion is advised. This production may be particularly impactful for veterans, military families, first responders, and those affected by conflict.
Support resources are available for audience members who may need them.
All performances include a facilitated post-show discussion with the cast, veterans, and subject matter experts, creating a meaningful space for reflection, dialogue, and connection. These conversations invite audiences to ask questions, share responses, and engage more deeply with the themes of the play, fostering understanding, empathy, and a stronger connection between civilians and the military community.
meet the team
Ret. Lt. Col Scott Mann spent 23 years in the United States Army, 18 of that as a Green Beret, where he specialized in unconventional, high-impact missions all over the world. Scott is now a public speaker & storyteller who began his acting journey with Last Out.
He is the author of several nonfiction books, including the instant New York Times Best-Seller, Operation Pineapple Express, a third-person narrative detailing the harrowing stories of the Veterans, volunteers, & Afghan Allies who navigated the US abandonment of Afghanistan in August of 2021.
Scott has presented on three TEDx stages & is a playwright who even starred in his own production, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret, which explores the Afghan War & its unexpected impact on veterans. Partnering with the Gary Sinise Foundation, Scott brought Last Out to the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre & various locations nationwide, aiming to offer healing to veterans and families of the fallen while shedding light on the personal costs of the longest war in our nation’s history.
Jason Cannon (Director) is a storyteller and storycoach. He is an award-winning actor, director, playwright, improviser, and teacher, as well as an Amazon best-selling author, publisher, and podcaster. He coaches clients around the world on playwriting, memoir and speech writing, and storytelling. His clients range from playwrights and authors to business leaders and Chiefs of Staff to Ted talkers and Green Berets, and he is one of the primary storycoaches for Rooftop Leadership. He has an MFA in Directing, an MA in Drama, and over 25 years experience in professional theatre. Jason has 100+ credits as an actor, 120+ credits as a director, and his ninth produced play as a playwright was the award-winning CLOWNS LIKE ME, which ran Off-Broadway in summer of 2024. He also directed the newest production of Task Force Pineapple’s Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret, which has toured around the country since November 2024. Jason has published multiple books through his independent imprint Ibis Books, and has also published memoirs, plays, poetry, and fiction by twenty other authors. He currently lives on the Gulf Coast with his beloved Rebecca and their two silly pups, Gaia and Odin, though they are all about to move to Michigan! Learn more and connect with Jason at JasonCannon.art.
Kari Ellis is a retired Forensic Video Analyst/CSI who joined our team as the 2019-2020 Tour Manager of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret while it toured the country. On our 2023 Last Out tour she acted as community outreach coordinator and team manager. She is now the Last Out and 11 Days Program Manager as well as a producer in both productions.
Kari is a former military spouse whose husband served 22 years in the military. After 24 years together, she lost him to suicide in 2017, a loss that profoundly shaped her journey and advocacy. She now devotes her time to helping other first responders and veterans find their voice and learn to heal through storytelling. Having been a first responder and a military spouse allows her to understand the stresses of serving in high-profile positions.
Thom is a designer and technician located in the Tampa Bay Area. He has worked traveling abroad, worked in-residence at Florida Studio Theatre, and now daylights as an A/V Technician at the University of South Florida. Select design credits include: Network, The Play That Goes Wrong, American Son, Bright Star, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Jersey Boys, and Once.
Stephanie Vera is a Theatrical and Architectural Lighting Designer, originally a Chicagoland native now residing in the Tampa-bay area. Stephanie has been a dedicated lighting designer and lighting practitioner since 2014 . Her passion lies in exploring how light influences people through their built environment and through storytelling. Stephanie creates human-centric and sustainable environments for students, artist, and medical practitioners by day; and helps bring scripts to life with theatre by night. Stephanie has designed a variety of shows and productions, including ice shows, touring productions, musicals, cruise ships productions, live music with orchestras and in performance dance. But her favorite has show setting has always been in a black box/storefront theatre in an intimate setting. She hopes you enjoy the show!
If you enjoyed our performance, if this story moved you, challenged you, or stayed with you – we invite you to support our mission.
Your donation helps Task Force Pineapple continue creating veteran-led theater, advocacy, and storytelling programs that honor service, confront the true cost of war, and ensure these lessons are not forgotten.
Every contribution allows us to bring these stories to new communities and hold space for connection, understanding, and healing.