Local theater groups unite to support Elgin PADS for World Homeless Day
This October, two local theater productions are turning the stage into a platform for community action in support of PADS of Elgin, with both productions taking place around World Homeless Day and both connected by director and producer Pat Henderson.
Observed internationally on Oct. 10, World Homeless Day raises awareness of homelessness and encourages communities to take local action to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring.
For Henderson, that action is taking two different forms: filling the shelves of an onstage bunker with real pantry donations and directing a separate benefit performance whose proceeds will support PADS of Elgin.
The first opportunity comes through point2point productions’ “From Dust,” an original work by Eli Campbell, running Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 8-10 at the Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court in Elgin.
The play follows Ettie, a doomsday prepper who hires Smith to build an underground bunker. When Ettie becomes convinced that a nuclear attack is happening, she shuts them both inside despite Smith’s skepticism. The story explores existential anxiety, misinformation and the question: Should you open the door?
That bunker is also becoming part of a community donation drive.
‘Stock our set, stock their shelves’
Community members can help stock the bunker with real donated pantry goods that will be used as set dressing during the production and then donated to PADS of Elgin after the final performance.
Requested items include boxed cereal, canned vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, drink mixes, ramen noodles, ground coffee, granola bars, canned spaghetti, peanut butter and disinfecting wipes.
The result is a set that serves two purposes: helping create the world of the play while collecting practical items that can later be used by people served by PADS.
Opening-night benefit
As “From Dust” enters its final weekend, Henderson will open “Bullets, Nickels, Dimes and Life” by Jeremy Kehoe, presented Oct. 9-11 at Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, 56 S. Grove Ave. in Elgin.
Sassypatproductions is putting on this play which was workshopped through Williams Street Repertory's LAB Reading Series at the Raue Center in Crystal Lake. It follows five people experiencing homelessness as they navigate survival, dignity, humanity and hope.
The Friday opening-night performance will benefit PADS of Elgin, with additional proceeds from the production also supporting the organization.
A complimentary reception catered by Sugar & Rhyme Coffeehouse, which is co-owned by Henderson, will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performance at 7 p.m.
“At PADS, we see every day that responding to homelessness takes an entire community,” said Katie Shaw Thompson, executive director of PADS of Elgin. “What makes these partnerships so meaningful is that they give people different ways to participate. Someone can bring a box of cereal, buy a theater ticket, attend a performance, or simply learn more about homelessness in our community. Each of those actions strengthens the network of support that helps individuals and families move toward stable housing.”
PADS of Elgin provides year-round shelter, three meals a day, individualized case management and housing-focused services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Northern Kane County. The organization also operates Lobby Outreach from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, offering meals, clothing, coats, shoes, hygiene supplies and connections to community resources.
Together, the two productions offer a local way to mark World Homeless Day by moving from awareness to action — using theater to bring people together while supporting neighbors experiencing homelessness.
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“From Dust”
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 2-3 and 9-10; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8
Where: The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court, Elgin
Pantry drive: As part of “Stock Our Set, Stock Their Shelves,” donated pantry goods will be used as props to fill the production’s underground bunker and then be donated to PADS of Elgin after the production closes
Cost: $15 plus $2 service fee per ticket
Tickets: schaumburgonstage.org/point2pointproductions
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“Bullets, Nickels, Dimes and Life”
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, with an opening reception at 6:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11
Where: Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, 56 S. Grove Ave., Elgin.
Cost: $25, plus $1.84 fee; all ticket sales from Friday’s performance will go to PADS
Tickets: sassypat.booktix.com.