In Honor emerged as a focused extension of Grief Dialogues’ immersive experience, In the Wake of Life. Grief Dialogue’s founder, Elizabeth Coplan, recognized the need for a military-centered adaptation to honor the distinct and complex nature of military loss. 

Military loss carries a unique weight. It is deeply personal, yet inherently communal. It touches families, fellow service members, and the broader fabric of our nation. At its core, In Honor creates space to remember lives sacrificed, to reflect on service and freedom, and to witness the lasting impact of dedication to country.

Under the direction of Dani Davis, In Honor has evolved into a living, immersive theatrical experience. Audiences are guided move through a curated landscape of short plays, poetry, music, sculpture, shared reflection, and personal stories. Blending warmth, pride, reverence, and moments of gentle humor, the production explores death, loss, and remembrance through what follows the battlefield — the silence, the echoes, the community that remains.

Each performance is carefully choreographed behind the scenes to create not just a program, but an atmosphere — one that fosters connection, dignity, and collective witnessing within the military community and beyond.

Michael Bud serves as Creative Producer and Director of Design for In Honor, shaping the audience experience from arrival through reflection. Working across promotion, staging, production design, and visual storytelling, he translates the project’s artistic and emotional vision into a cohesive immersive environment. His role supports both the creative flow of each performance and the deeper intention to witness, honor, and hold space for soldiers, veterans, and their families.