Y-Haven Theatre is a partnership between the Cleveland Public Theatre and the YMCA of Greater Cleveland Y-Haven. This partnership, a therapeutic arts education program for HOMELESS MEN who are recovering drug and/or alcohol addicts, is celebrating its 14th year. All aspects of theatre arts and performance skills are taught, including exercises in writing, movement, vocalization and, storytelling that strengthen these gentlemen’s communication abilities and help to increase self-awareness. The script that the participants create draws on recurring themes of homelessness and addiction and incorporates powerful images in these men’s lives. The story that they tell using dialogue and encounters from their lives also helps them gain perspective on their former life choices and actions. Those participants who do not work on stage are taught technical skills in lighting or sound, or they become stage managers or take on costuming duties. The crew also participates in set construction. All these tasks are designed to reinforce their ability to manage time, create reliability; and they also learn the value of being able to following directions, having self-control and being able to be commit themselves to something larger than themselves. The final show, being an original play based on their collective experiences, then goes on tour and men and boys living in other shelters, treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers have the opportunity to see this production as well as members of the general public including high school an college students. Puffin West is proud to support this effort in its small way, as individuals experiencing homelessness are one of the many marginalized groups whose voices are easily overlooked by the public. Y-Heaven Theatre enriches the lives of the participants and the audience.
