LCC gives the homeless a stage in ‘I Have A Name’

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What started as a service learning project at Lansing Community College has evolved into a theatrical production aiming to humanize the houseless.

“I Have a Name,” which opens Saturday (Nov. 16), is the result of efforts by LCC English Professor Judy Allen and her students working with residents of Lansing shelters to craft personal narratives. The free show opens with a montage of black and white portraits of various residents living in shelters, followed by monologues, original song and dance to illustrate the experiences of five Lansing residents.

“Even though homelessness is going down in Michigan, the numbers are still staggering. We are hoping to raise awareness and encourage people to volunteer,” said Allen. “I think a lot of people are not aware and are ignorant like I was. It’s not just a show, its purpose is to show there is a huge need here.”

Most stories come from clients of Holy Cross Services, which was formerly Volunteers of America on Larch Street. Saturday’s run will follow with a discussion and Q&A with a few of the non-student writers. There will be a donation table near the box office where guests can drop off winter apparel to be distributed to LCC students in need. Sunday’s show will be a 2 p.m. matinee in Dart Auditorium.

During the first two years of the writers’ workshop, Allen prescribed writing prompts encouraging participants to chronicle their experiences with housing insecurity. The professor said she was “far removed” from the issue at the time and was surprised that participants ignored the prompts to instead write about hobbies, war stories and past relationships.

“I came to this realization that they don’t identify as homeless,” said Allen, adding that the relationships built between some of the participants and students began to take priority.

One of the five storytellers in the play is an octogenarian named Dick, who lost his home and business to a fire at the turn of the 21st century. Allen said the young woman from LCC assigned as Dick’s cowriter was “scared” upon meeting him, but after their first writing session, the woman described Dick as a “happy little grandpa.”

The relationship between Dick and the student progressed from weekly writing sessions for class into Dick’s attending family meals. Allen said that in the play, Dick refers to Heather’s clan as his “adopted family.”

Dick’s 30-year career as an accountant was compromised by the fire, and the residual shock led him to live in his car for over a year. Bob Robinson, who portrays Dick in the LCC production, wears a suit in the entirety of the show, which he believes symbolizes Dick’s life philosophy.

“The business suit really connects what I think Dick was in the past and what he was able to become again, a self-employed individual living on his own,” Robinson said.

Allen added that Dick and the student’s friendship was unique from the average writer’s experience. While most students didn’t leave the workshop to go on and volunteer at shelters, Allen noticed they had a shift in awareness.

“The Lansing shelters are awesome and love these people all the time, but for someone else to come in and say we think you are important and we want to show an amazing picture of you and tell your story through dance, music and poetry. It made them feel special.” said Allen.

“I Have A Name” Opening Night

Saturday, Nov. 16

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Free, donations accepted

LCC Dart Auditorium

500 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing

(517) 483-1122

 

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