If you had to put a face to a homeless person what would he/she look like? Would it be the man or woman with the scruffy uncombed hair, over-sized clothes, and awful stench? Maybe it is the person who lives in cardboard boxes under the bridge or on the street. The answer lies beyond our stereotypical depictions of what people perceive as homeless. Writer and director Vitelle Webb revealed the truth of the homeless Saturday evening in her stage play, The Face of Homeless.
The Face of Homeless was produced by Webb’s non-profit organization, Feed the Homeless Tour, at the Shiloh Community Theater in Snellville, Georgia. The set was beautifully arranged with basic furnishings like the bed, dresser, couch, and table. Once the curtains closed, the stage transformed into streets. Webb created this visual by using stage props like the bench and warning signs which read “slow down.” Just like Tyler Perry, she too has first-hand experience with being homeless. Her encounters lend an air of authenticity to the stories and the set.
Inside the set was an ensemble of actors and actresses. The lights shone down on several of the characters at the start of the play, including main character, Victoria (Dimples Potter). Victoria is a wife and mother who, due to unfortunate circumstances, has to live in a car for several months with her two daughters and husband. She struggles to support her family working as a maid for Peggy Sue (Becky J. Taylor). Peggy Sue, a self made millionaire, is a strong minded woman who could care less about the homeless. When Peggy tells Victoria that she is leaving for vacation, Victoria decides to take her family under Peggy’s roof until she returns. However, Peggy’s vacation was cut short. Once Peggy discovered that Victoria was living in her house she terminated Victoria. Now Victoria faced living without a house or a job.
The play also delves into the difficult stories of the supporting characters as well. Take for example Mark (Garret Able), a successful CEO of Global Enterprises. He goes from being a business owner to a divorcee living without a home. Garry (M.V. Oliphant) was a father who struggled with alcoholism in the past and is trying to mend his relationship with his successful son. Meanwhile, Shelia (Tyra Schely) struggles with mental illness after losing her family in a bomb explosion overseas.
Each character is worth noting because it shows how anyone can become a victim of home abandonment. Although the play was one that should not be taken lightly; Webb manages to include some comedic scenes to brighten up the mood.
The costume designs receive an A+. However, the transitions in between the scenes were not smooth due to unfortunate technical difficulties. There were also problems with the audio during the performance. Despite the minor interruptions, the cast persevered and displayed their elite acting skills–that alone deserves a standing ovation.
Face of Homeless received a standing ovation. The message could not have been more clear: the seriousness of people without homes should not be looked down upon because it can be you. All the proceeds go towards the Feed the Homeless Tour Foundation.
Since the play was a one day event I cannot encourage you to check it out for yourselves. However I will encourage people to really examine their lives and the lives of others less fortunate than them. The characters in this play are fictional but represent challenges faced by real people. They are based on true life events! So before you see what the world calls “a bum,” take a moment and realize that it could be you. Being without a home does not discriminate towards anyone, and neither should you.
[slideshow_deploy id=’12649′]
