A staged reading of Sheltered, written by local playwright Catherine Wiley, is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 30 at McNichols Civic Center Building. The play takes place in a temporary homeless shelter for women in Denver and unfolds over a single day, with choral interludes by different homeless women illustrating the complexities of their lives.
One of the main characters, Martha, volunteers as a way of searching for her mother, who has moved in and out of addiction and homelessness for much of Martha’s life. With the help of Cassie and Tiffany, Martha reconnects with her mother, Helen, in an effort to bring her home.
They discuss and debate the origins of their predicament, the realities of living on the receiving end of charity, and their hopes for the future. A staged reading is a form of theatre without sets, props, sound, or full costumes. The actors read from scripts.
Immediately following the reading there will be a discussion lead by author Dr. Esther Sullivan, an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Denver. Her research focuses on poverty, spatial inequality, legal regulation, and housing.
Jen McDonald, who is part of the Storytellers Network with Close to Home, will also share her experience living on living on the edge of homelessness. Storytellers Network engages individuals who have directly experienced homelessness, supporting them in sharing their stories.
The events is under the auspices of Athena Project, a professional group of artists dedicated to supporting and expanding women’s artistic contributions to the Denver stage and the wider community.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased here. 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver.