Voices of homeless resonate on stage
Quincy Booker
Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: News
The recent production of "Unheard Voices" was incredible.
Several actors (some of whom are professionals) portrayed different homeless people and told their stories in the words of specific homeless people.
The stories themselves were transcribed word for word from interviews of homeless people throughout Detroit. The actors, who all volunteered for the project, ranged from UDM freshmen to graduate students. Even a faculty member had a role.
Director Yolanda Fleischer got the inspiration from longtime (and now retired) UDM employee John Daniels, who does community service and social work.
Fleischer blended several ideas into a play that aimed to open the eyes of all who saw it.
Indeed, the Feb. 26-28 productions evoked emotion. Many who watched laughed and cried throughout the performance.
"It was intense," said actor Michelle Renaud. "I used to be one of the stereotypical people that looked down at homeless people."
Portraying one of the homeless people helped her realize that "these were real people with real problems to deal with, too."
Actor Timothy Schumack said he connected with his character.
"It's an honor to portray these people," he said.
Jason Echols has been acting for ten years.
"I saw a perspective I've never seen before," he said. "Everybody is a human being and deserves the respect of a human being. … I've learned more from this than 90 percent of the projects I've worked on."
The play aimed not only to enlighten but also to help the homeless in Detroit. Over $3,000 was raised in two days and many clothing items were donated.
The production was one of Fleischer's final projects. The professor will be retiring this year.
Several actors (some of whom are professionals) portrayed different homeless people and told their stories in the words of specific homeless people.
The stories themselves were transcribed word for word from interviews of homeless people throughout Detroit. The actors, who all volunteered for the project, ranged from UDM freshmen to graduate students. Even a faculty member had a role.
Director Yolanda Fleischer got the inspiration from longtime (and now retired) UDM employee John Daniels, who does community service and social work.
Fleischer blended several ideas into a play that aimed to open the eyes of all who saw it.
Indeed, the Feb. 26-28 productions evoked emotion. Many who watched laughed and cried throughout the performance.
"It was intense," said actor Michelle Renaud. "I used to be one of the stereotypical people that looked down at homeless people."
Portraying one of the homeless people helped her realize that "these were real people with real problems to deal with, too."
Actor Timothy Schumack said he connected with his character.
"It's an honor to portray these people," he said.
Jason Echols has been acting for ten years.
"I saw a perspective I've never seen before," he said. "Everybody is a human being and deserves the respect of a human being. … I've learned more from this than 90 percent of the projects I've worked on."
The play aimed not only to enlighten but also to help the homeless in Detroit. Over $3,000 was raised in two days and many clothing items were donated.
The production was one of Fleischer's final projects. The professor will be retiring this year.
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