Chattanooga Room in the Inn is teaming up with Writer’s Stage of Nashville and Notre Dame High School to present STAND, a play written by Jim Reyland of Nashville chronicling his relationship with a man experiencing homelessness on the streets of Nashville. The free public presentation will be held at Notre Dame’s theater on Monday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 pm. A private performance for the students will be held the following morning.
"Since 2012, STAND has moved audiences to laughter and tears. It uses a two-character script with the starting point as the first talks Reyland and John Robert Ellis had and follows their decade-long journey in which Ellis struggled, with Reyland’s help, to regain some dignity and some semblance of the person he might have become had his life headed in a different direction. The story of STAND is a personal narrative exposing the realities of living on the streets while portraying a story of two friends coming from different circumstances but learning to love, respect and care for each other," officials said.
Mr. Ellis is portrayed by Barry Scott. Chip Arnold plays Mr. Reyland and David Compton directs the production.
According to Mr. Reyland, “the goal for STAND’s tour is to engage students, to help homeless organizations further their mission, and to raise awareness of the tragic scope of homelessness in America.”
Notre Dame President George Valadie states, "Notre Dame High School is excited and honored to host this upcoming performance, especially since it benefits Room in the Inn. For almost thirty years, this organization has reached out to protect homeless women and children who have found themselves with nowhere else to turn. We're hoping this will be a huge success."
One hundred percent of donations made that evening will benefit Chattanooga Room in the Inn, which provides shelter and transitional housing with services to women and children experiencing homelessness.