Netflix, HBO, and Broadway actors give voice to Ukrainians at Daria Kolomiec’s benefit theatrical reading in New York
On February 24, marking the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the West End Theatre in New York City hosted a sold-out documentary reading of Diary of War. Renowned American actors read real-life testimonies from Ukrainians reflecting on their experiences in the early days of the full-scale war. Organized by cultural activist and producer Daria Kolomiec, the event raised funds for United Help Ukraine, which will direct all proceeds to the volunteer medical battalion Hospitallers.
Rubryka reports this with reference to the event's organizers.
What is the problem?
At a time of shifting U.S. foreign policy and public discourse under a new presidential administration, maintaining Ukraine's voice abroad remains crucial. American audience has to continue hearing about the ongoing war, its daily impact on Ukrainians, and why any so-called "peace" that favors Russia would not guarantee lasting security or sovereignty for Ukraine. Cultural advocacy events like this one play a key role in keeping Ukraine's struggle visible, countering Russian propaganda, and securing tangible support for Ukrainian volunteer initiatives.
What is the solution?
The Diary of War reading in New York served a dual purpose: to remind Americans of the three-year full-scale war and nearly 11 years of Russian aggression, and to encourage direct support for Ukraine through donations to frontline medics. Directed by Musa Gurnis, the evening brought to spotlight seven real diary entries from Ukrainians.
Photo: Anastasiia Krasheninnikova, Tania Nikolaenko
How does it work?
The event opened with an instrumental set by singer and bandurist Teryn Kuzma, followed by a moment of silence for Ukraine's fallen defenders. Ukrainian Village Voices' singers Ulana Pryjmak and Laryssa Czebiniak then performed a vocal composition in dialogue—one voice on stage, the other in the audience—symbolizing the connection between those living through war and those listening to and hearing their stories worldwide.
Throughout the evening, actors read firsthand testimonies collected by Daria Kolomiec for her Diary of War podcast in spring 2022. These included:
- Iryna Tsybukh (call sign Cheka), a film producer and a project manager in civilian life, shares her work as a combat medic in the Hospitallers volunteer battalion, evacuating soldiers in hot spots on the front line. In May 2024, she was killed during her rotation.
- Olena Nikulina, the wife of Maksym Nikulin, a soldier of the Azov Regiment, describes learning about her second pregnancy while her husband was at the Azovstal factory surrounded by Russians. Since his capture, Olena has not heard from Maksym, and he has never met his son.
- Denys Khrystov, a former TV host, evacuated hundreds of people and animals from the war zone; some of the towns he visited with his evacuation assignments no longer exist.
- Julia Kochetova, a photojournalist who regularly works in Ukraine's most dangerous places, reports about Russian war crimes. She was awarded an Emmy in 2023 and a World Press Photo Award in 2024 for her work.
- Olha Bulkina describes her work as a clown at Kyiv's Ohmatdyt, the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, struck by a Russian missile in the summer of 2024.
- Marat Shevchenko is a stageman and DJ who had to flee his occupied hometown of Kupiansk on an old motorcycle with his vinyl records and ethnic embroidered shirt.
- Yurii Marchenko, a Ukrainian journalist, storyteller, and editor-in-chief at Platfor.ma, a media and creative agency for social projects, tells about losing his pet pug and being unable to get timely veterinary assistance during the first weeks of the full-scale war.
The Ukrainian stories were brought to life by a stellar cast of American film and theater actors:
- Laila Robins (TV: Homeland, The Blacklist, The Boys, The Crowded Room, Accused, American Horror Stories; Theatre: Albee's The Lady from Dubuque and Tiny Alice, Frozen, Heartbreak House and The Real Thing, Richard Nelson's Apple Family Plays);
- Ismenia Mendes (TV: Orange Is The New Black, High Maintenance; Theater: Mac Beth, Marys Seacole, as well Troilus and Cressida and Much Ado About Nothing with the Public Theater);
- b (TV: You, WeCrashed, Let The Right One In; Theater: Toros, and the Public Theater's Twelfth Night);
- Jake Hart (Film: Big George; TV: Universal Basic Guys, The Deuce; Theater: The Winter's Tale, Jesus Hopped the A-Train, and Salvage at the Public Theater).
- Carson Elrod (Film: The Wedding Crashers, Kissing Jessica Stein; Theater: Broadway, Peter and the Starcatcher, Noises Off; with Classical Theatre of Harlem Twelfth Night and Seize the King, as well as All's Well That Ends Well and Measure for Measure with the Public Theater);
- Sarah Wharton (Film: Godless, The Volunteers, That's Not Us, Feral);
- Jason Bowen (Film: Mother/Android, Friend Zoned; TV: Chicago P.D., BrainDead, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Theater: The Play That Goes Wrong, Broadway).
At the end of the reading, Daria Kolomiec shared the latest updates on the real people behind these stories. She also presented a video message from combat medic Iryna Tsybukh, recorded for the June Diary of War event just weeks before she was killed in action.
Immediately following the reading, a charity auction was held in support of the initiative. The auction items were deeply personal—donated directly by the original diarists themselves. The actors of the project volunteered to present the items, engaging the audience in meaningful participation. Carson Elrod, who read Yurii Marchenko's diary, personally handed over a book co-authored by Yurii to its new owner. Jake Hart helped auction off a vinyl record from Marat Shevchenko, who rescued his collection while fleeing Russian-occupied Kupyansk on an old motorcycle.
Photo: Anastasiia Krasheninnikova, Tania Nikolaenko
One of the most emotional moments of the auction was the sale of a photograph of Iryna Tsybukh, taken by her close friend, photojournalist Julia Kochetova. In December 2024, Julia held a charity exhibition in New York, where director Musa Gurnis purchased this particular photograph. Later, she gifted it to actress Merlinda Akindele, who had previously read Iryna's diary as part of the project. Upon learning about the February 24 event, Merlinda decided to donate the photograph for the auction to raise more funds for combat medics. The photo ultimately brought in $1,800 for the cause.
Photo: Anastasiia Krasheninnikova, Tania Nikolaenko
The actors not only read the stories but also spoke out about the war, emphasizing the importance of calling it what it is—a war—and naming Russia as the aggressor, particularly in light of recent political events in the U.S. Actress Laila Robins underscored this point:
"It was such a wonderful evening to see all these beautiful people coming together, to be talking about democracy and freedom and realizing that in our own country, we are starting to have those challenges. So it's very important for the Americans to wake up and look at what's happening over in Ukraine. This is a very scary world, and we need to be on top of it, we need to be awake," she said.
Photo: Anastasiia Krasheninnikova, Tania Nikolaenko
Daria Kolomiec, the creator and producer of the project, explained that this kind of impact is one of her main goals:
"Every Diary of War reading is a deeply personal experience for me. I share something incredibly painful and intimate with an audience that may not know what to expect at first. But after the performance, these people open up, too—through donations, advocacy, and love for Ukraine. My goal is to tell Ukraine's story to Americans in a way they understand, and each time, our voice becomes louder," said Kolomiec.
Photo: Anastasiia Krasheninnikova, Tania Nikolaienko
The final amount raised has not yet been announced, as donations are still being collected. Anyone wishing to support the initiative can still contribute directly.
The reading was held in partnership with theater organizations Bedlam and The Private Theatre. 100% of proceeds from the event will be donated to United Help Ukraine – a registered 501(c)(3) charity providing humanitarian, medical, and psychological assistance to those affected by the Russian war in Ukraine since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and occupied part of eastern Ukraine. UHU also raises awareness and advocates for Ukraine to remain a free, democratic, and independent nation.
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Чехія стала першою країною, де громадяни самотужки зібрали гроші на військовий вертоліт для України
