For eighteen months, participants who have experienced homelessness met weekly to create this stage and film documentary about life on the street, written by and featuring those who've lived it.
Call Me By My Name
A stage and film documentary with and about the homeless community
Director Steve Umberger
Film by Steve Umberger & Jay Thomas
Music Fred Story Associate Director Mark Sutton
Cast: Scott Anderson, Belinda Hunter, Paul Lessard, Hilda Mojica, Mary Subach, Christina C. Williams
TalkBacks with County Commissioners Pat Cotham, Mark Jerrell, and Men's Shelter Director Liz Clasen-Kelly
"When looking at the issue of poverty, it is easy to dehumanize the voices of those walking that very experience. But as we see in Call Me By My Name, they have the best insight into solutions."
Kelly McRell, FUMC staff member
"The experience has been profoundly positive - one that has cultivated growth socially, creatively and consciously."
Pitkin, QC Nerve (feature)
Click the gallery for an overview.
"The experience has been profoundly positive - one that has cultivated growth socially, creatively and consciously."
Pitkin, QC Nerve (feature)
Click the gallery for an overview.
...
Program development made possible by a Vitality Grant, a Justice and Reconciliation Grant of the United Methodist Church, the financial support of First United Methodist Church, and donations from the general public. Call Me By My Name is a collaboration between First United Methodist Church and The Playworks Group.
Call Me By My Name grew out of StreetsmARTs, a program of First United Methodist Church, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization (Val Rosenquist, Senior Pastor). The goal is to develop and expand StreetsmARTs. Donations are welcome at FUMC, 501 N. Tryon St., Charlotte NC, or online at charlottefirst.org (StreetsmARTs option).
More information
See press on Call Me By My Name
QC Nerve Observer
Downloadable resources
Call Me By My Name program 2019
See more comments about StreetsmARTs
StreetsmARTs Theatre Leadership
Basic facts about homelessness in the U.S. and N.C.
Homelessness resources
National State Charlotte
Website for Urban Ministry Center
Photography: William Guerrant, Jay Thomas
Two years after starting the project, work continues in final 2020 phases with the cast around the table and in work-in-progress documentary screenings.