I Have a Name
An original theatrical production about homelessness
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 &
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019
Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933
I HAVE A NAME is an original play sharing stories of five Lansing area people who are or have been homeless, woven together with original music, dance and poetry. It was developed from personal stories of Volunteers of America clients told to LCC English professor Judy Allen’s students in a service learning project.
Producer Melissa Kaplan heard the stories in a 2015 presentation by Allen and saw their potential to form the basis for a play. “These stories speak to our shared humanity,” said Kaplan, “and help deepen our understanding so we’re not just seeing misguided stereotypes and instead can work together to help each other.”
Judy Allen wrote the script with consultation from playwright Rob Roznowski. The production is directed by Paige Tufford, music and lyrics by Chelle Peterson, choreography by Lauren Mudry, photography by Heather Allen, projection design by Julian Hendrickson, and poetry by Cruz Villarreal, Deborah Esther Nyamekye, and Barb Clauer’s Fall 2018 Community Generated Poetry Project.
The company includes LCC students, faculty, alumni and community members: Kelly Baltusis, Kailen Berry, Ny’Kieria Blocker, DaVonte Cotton, Kayla Henry, Sydney Hill, Quinn Kelly, Steve Lee, Emmie Paullin, Bob Robinson, Isaiah Scruggs, Collin Smith, Ian Smith, Josh Smith, Jared Thompson, Amanda Tollstam and Jeffry Wilson. Faculty poets performing are Jonah Mixon-Webster and Cruz Villarreal.
November 16 marks the start of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week across the nation. In conjunction with I Have a Name, a donation drive for socks (new), hats, gloves and mittens will be held Nov. 1-24 across LCC’s campuses. I Have a Name patrons may bring items to Dart Auditorium the day of performance. LCC’s Human Services Fall 2019 Practicum students are organizing the drive and will distribute items received to area shelters.
Donations will also be accepted for the LCC Cares Fund supporting students’ housing, food and other non-tuition needs (cash, credit or check payable to LCC Foundation).
Free admission, no tickets required, donations accepted.
LCC Performing Arts Production Office, 517-483-1122
http://www.lcc.edu/showinfo
https://www.facebook.com/LCCPerformingArts/