Playing at War explores the complex relationship between war simulation, religion, and community through Airsoft games at Rockingham Airsoft and Tactical Support (RATS), a Christian-rooted organization in Reidsville, North Carolina. Participants don military gear and engage in simulated combat within an abandoned elementary school, combining themes of faith, violence, and entertainment in a symbolic and unsettling environment.

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The series highlights how rural communities, particularly in the South, navigate the intersections of patriotism, militarization, and religious values. By repurposing a school—traditionally associated with learning and innocence—into a site for war games, the work encourages viewers to reflect on the cultural forces that make these simulations appealing. The contrast between the religious undertones of RATS and the violence of simulated conflict pushes viewers to think critically about how identity, camaraderie, and personal beliefs evolve through these activities.

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Ultimately, Playing at War raises ethical and cultural questions about the normalization of violence in American society. The work examines these reenactments, prompting viewers to reconsider their relationship with war imagery while exploring how war-themed entertainment reflects and shapes broader societal values.