Play Reading of HOME-Homeless Enclave Unites by Nathaniel Roberts

An open reading of the new play HOME by Nathaniel Roberts was performed for the public, free of charge at the Raven Theater Monday evening.  The artistic director, Steven David Martin, welcomed the audience of several dozen thespians for coming despite a Warrior and football game.  "What's a Warrior game?" called out a young woman with purple and magenta hair which was met with chuckles from an enthused audience.  Martin went on to introduce the playwright seated at the back of the theater and invited everyone to stay after the reading to offer feedback or ask questions of the playwright or actors.  The eight cast members are part of the Raven Players affiliated with the Healdsburg Center for the Arts.  Six of the cast portrayed homeless individuals living under an overpass around the Bay Area.  An Asian father who owned a small convenience store and his college age daughter are forced to navigate past the homeless encampment to reach the father's business.  Hostilities arise between the shop owner and those living in the make shift shelters.  The father vehemently forbids his daughter from conversing with these people and belligerent to those addressing him.  Meanwhile, his daughter strikes up a conversation and concern with the young homeless woman, Monica.  We learn Monica has a four year old daughter living in foster care and that Monica prostitutes herself to support her meth addiction.  We also learn the histories of the other homeless which include a former attorney, nurse and minor league baseball player.  Francisco is young homeless man who befriends Monica.  He's a new outsider to the group and his role muddles the plot. (He also needs correction on his pronunciation of kibbutz.)  It seems incredulous this forged family of homeless all had impressive careers and would show solicitous concerns for each another.  The former attorney plans to appeal to the courts to claim these grounds rightfully theirs.  Nicholas James Augusta as Bluejay, an alcoholic and former ballplayer, is particularly sympathetic and credible.  Mina Lim as the college co-ed is also winning as the earnest daughter who quarrels with her dad and takes an interest in Monica's welfare.  The consensus for the actors was positive who brought their characters to life.  My feedback for the playwright is to limit the homeless to one or two individuals to cement an understanding which may develop between a nearby business owner and homeless individuals when strewn together.   A live script reading is performed monthly.   One new play will be selected from the readings for a full staging at the end of the season.