Homeless theater: from the street to the stage

Jane Chen, JE '97, has endured a few trials which do not normally beset undergraduate directors. Earlier this week, Grafton, an actor in her production, was unable to attend a dress rehearsal in Nick Chapel for Chen's senior project, "Angelic Greetings," because he lacked a Yale I.D.; no Trumbullian would open the gate for him. Grafton eventually gave up and returned home, still wearing his cop costume. Several minutes later, two Yale police cars pulled up and policemen asked students if they had seen a tall black man dressed as a security officer. Hardly a campus threat, Grafton had just been trying to save time by arriving for the run-through already in costume.

When the play's producer Laurie Kennington, BR '00, recounts this story at Wednesday's final dress rehearsal, everyone laughs. Especially Grafton. He's dressed again in that troublesome ensemble of black shirt, black pants, and black hat with gold insignia. He toys with some handcuffs. Sitting next to him are Al Vasseur, dressed as the Incredible Hulk, Andre Thompson as a drug dealer, Tony Alves as a wealthy addict in a shiny olive green suit, and accompanist Larry Mendelson. Four Yale women, who constitute the core of the Homeless Theater Troupe, are also there assisting with technical aspects. Two homeless women, Donna and Christine, usually participate, but Donna has been taken to the emergency room and Christine's whereabouts are unknown. Undaunted, Chen runs her cast through the show.

The Troupe, Chen's brainchild, began last February. Chen had previously been involved in community service projects focused on the homeless, but she felt the work was unsatisfying. "I found that one major thing lacking was a forum for self-expression or an outlet through which the voices [of the homeless] could be heard," Chen said. "There's a social stigma that's still placed on homeless people, poor people, people of color. I wanted to address those issues by using a forum through which people could be brought together in dialogue."

Chen visited local soup kitchens, community centers, and shelters in search of participants. Only three people attended her first meeting, but they came back the next week, and the next. And they brought friends.

Like the Troupe's three previous shows, "Angelic Greetings" is scripted by the actors and developed through improvisation exercises. The scenarios draw heavily on the company's personal experiences with life on the streets and are modeled on those described in Augusto Boal's manifesto/guidebook, "Theater of the Oppressed." "Angelic Greetings" features original poetry, live music, the appearance of the Incredible Hulk, several scenes about drug use and violence at all class levels, and a fashion show which jibes at stereotypes surrounding appearance. Discussions follow each performance so that the audience may interact directly with the performers without the barrier of a fourth wall.

The performers themselves express great interest in fielding audience questions. They all believe that their work has considerable social utility and are eager to educate their audiences on the truths of street life. Thompson explained that he wants people to avoid his mistakes. "We're putting on real messages. [The scenes are] personal, kind of scary--[they] bring back memories of the bad times, when I went through it. But somebody else might be able to learn from it, about how people think about the homeless, [and] people who are on drugs. It helps me remember what I don't want to go back to. And," he added, "it's really fun."

Thompson must be enjoying himself. He manages to attend rehearsals despite his two jobs, his counseling meetings, and the chores required at Davenport House, the transition house where he, Vasseur, and Alves live. Thompson has been clean for seven months. He recently received his GED and plans to become a Certified Nurse's Aide and work as a drug rehabilitation counselor.

The Troupe boasts other similar stories, and these shared successes helps to lighten some of its difficulties. But lack of funding has plagued the project this semester. Chen articulated in her Sudler fund application that the Troupe would provide free admission for Jonathan Edwards students and would hold a reception in JE (concessions which typically suffice); however, the committee rejected her proposal. Chen does not understand why. In addition to the Standard Theater Studies allotment for senior projects, however, the Master's Discretionary Fund has made a donation. Chen also plans to apply to Dwight Hall.

"Angelic Greetings" runs Thurs., Oct. 2, to Sat., Oct. 4, at 8:00 p.m. in Nick Chapel in Trumbull College. A $3 donation is suggested.

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