"I almost lost my life three times, but I had a praying mother I could lean on," said the U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient. "I often wondered, 'Would I make it? Would I ever make it back home?'"
Titled "Guns of Ava", the play is based on a novel by Brenda Womble, a North Carolina Central University professor and the play's director. It tells Dula's story of serving in the military, leaving behind the love of his life, and coping with the struggles of war during the height of the civil rights movement.
"I want to tell the story from a Black man's perspective because we don't often hear what Black men went through during that time," Womble said.
While Dula fought in Vietnam, a war raged at home. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated, and cities were filled with protests and unrest.
Strength, Faith and Family
'Guns of Ava' based on life of NC Veteran Ken Dula
Dula feels fortunate to share his story, as many of his fellow soldiers never returned from Vietnam or lost their lives in the struggles at home.
"Some veterans never get that second chance," Dula said. "PTSD is a difficult thing to overcome because it's a life experience you don't just shake off overnight."
It is also a story of strength, faith, and family. Dula's niece, Robyn Farrington, portrays his mother, who was his guiding light in the darkest times.
"Stepping into this role as Mama Dula, I take great pride in carrying on her legacy of faith," said Robyn Farrington. "She taught our family how to stand on God's Word and his promises and to not waiver and so I'm hoping through this play that we'll get to show other people how you should be resilient in your faith."
Guns of Ava will be staged for one night only, on October 25, 2025, at 6 p.m., at Chapel Hill High School's Hanes Theatre.