'Hope VI' shows life in Chicago Public Housing
Kaitlin Tyrrill
Issue date: 6/15/09 Section: Neighborhood
Media Credit: Kaitlin TyrrillPictured is the currently vacant building of the Jane Addams House, the tentative home of the National Public Housing Museum.
On Thursday June 11th, the National Public Housing Museum hosted the premiere of 'Hope VI' at The Chicago Dramatists Theatre, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. 'Hope VI' tells the story of Hope, an out-going young girl who loves to sing and dance, but suddenly becomes quiet and withdrawn.
The play enacts the struggle of survival in Chicago Public Housing while the last building of the Robert Taylor Homes, 5125 S. Federal, is being demolished. Hope and her family have been moved to a motel room nearby while they await available housing. 'Hope VI' uses video recordings of the demolition of the Robert Taylor Homes in the backdrop.
Administration and Operations Consultant, Jennifer Mau, described this National Public Housing Museum Night at The Chicago Dramatists Theatre as "more of a collaboration than sponsorship." The play is reflective of the museum's mission to interpret the American experience in public housing through the use of oral histories and original documents. The museum is taking part in other programs and collaborations with other organizations in an effort to increase dialogue and raise funds for the museum's future home.
The National Public Housing Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization scheduled to be housed in the last remaining building of the Jane Addams House at 1322-24 W. Taylor St. in 2012. This is under the condition that a strong board of directors is established and financing is identified for the museum. This was proposed by the Chicago Housing Authority, which owns the property. If these conditions are not met, CHA will demolish the currently vacant building at 1322-24 W. Taylor St. The museum will be holding panel discussions, public forums, workshops, and other events in the meantime. Information can be found on their website publichousingmuseum.org, or on their Facebook page.
Tickets to the play are $25 for general admission and $15 for Chicago Housing Authority residents. For $35 VIP tickets include a pre-play reception and follow up discussion panel with the director, Ilesa Duncan, and Museum Executive Director Keith L. Magee. Part of the proceeds from this performance will be donated to the museum. The play will be showing through July 12th, and a student rate of $10 is available Thursdays and Sundays.
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The play enacts the struggle of survival in Chicago Public Housing while the last building of the Robert Taylor Homes, 5125 S. Federal, is being demolished. Hope and her family have been moved to a motel room nearby while they await available housing. 'Hope VI' uses video recordings of the demolition of the Robert Taylor Homes in the backdrop.
Administration and Operations Consultant, Jennifer Mau, described this National Public Housing Museum Night at The Chicago Dramatists Theatre as "more of a collaboration than sponsorship." The play is reflective of the museum's mission to interpret the American experience in public housing through the use of oral histories and original documents. The museum is taking part in other programs and collaborations with other organizations in an effort to increase dialogue and raise funds for the museum's future home.
The National Public Housing Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization scheduled to be housed in the last remaining building of the Jane Addams House at 1322-24 W. Taylor St. in 2012. This is under the condition that a strong board of directors is established and financing is identified for the museum. This was proposed by the Chicago Housing Authority, which owns the property. If these conditions are not met, CHA will demolish the currently vacant building at 1322-24 W. Taylor St. The museum will be holding panel discussions, public forums, workshops, and other events in the meantime. Information can be found on their website publichousingmuseum.org, or on their Facebook page.
Tickets to the play are $25 for general admission and $15 for Chicago Housing Authority residents. For $35 VIP tickets include a pre-play reception and follow up discussion panel with the director, Ilesa Duncan, and Museum Executive Director Keith L. Magee. Part of the proceeds from this performance will be donated to the museum. The play will be showing through July 12th, and a student rate of $10 is available Thursdays and Sundays.
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