StreetsmARTs

 For 18 months in 2018-19, participants who have experienced homelessness met weekly to create this stage and film documentary about life on the street, featuring those who have been there.    


Call Me By My Name
A  stage and film documentary about the creativity of the unhoused community
Developed with First United Methodist Church

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




The 2019 event consisted of the documentary-in-progress and a live performance with the participants.  
TalkBacks with County Commissioners Pat Cotham and Mark Jerrell, and Roof Above CEO 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)



The project continued through the pandemic, with the group documenting the effects of Covid as it reached the streets. The material is being added to the film.


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Call Me By My Name is made possible in part by a 2021 NC Humanities ARP Humanities Project Support Grant (nchumanities.org).



2022 Development film screenings
November 14, 2021 - Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian
January 29, 2022 - Dilworth United Methodist Church
February 23 - Temple Beth El
March 6 - Caldwell Presbyterian
March 20 - Park Road Baptist
May 15 - First Christian Church
May 23 - Unitarian Universalist Community
June 27 - Aldersgate
September 11 - Holy Covenant


Links to more information

See press on Call Me By My Name
QC Nerve             Observer 

Listen to a podcast about the project (One hour)



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)


Photography: William Guerrant, Jay Thomas