Shellshocked.

That's the way Morgan Forry describes the audience reaction at the closing of a recent rehearsal of "after homelessness..."

The audience didn't make a sound as the theatre play came to an end.

"I thought we messed up because nobody clapped."

Over the next few days, however, he learned how profoundly they were affected.

His character's name is Otis. Otis has mental health issues and lives on the streets in Vancouver, taking shelter under a tarp.

"And he is just like Morgan," Forry says. "Morgan is Otis and Otis is Morgan. Pretty darn close to the way I'm feeling now."

The play, run by Vancouver's Headlines Theatre, has a cast of six (mostly former) homeless people and explores serious issues about homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction and the need for more affordable housing in the Lower Mainland.

The play runs over two weeks in late November and early December, and includes a series of moderated open forums with moderators that include local journalists and Metro Vancouver policy-makers, as well as "after homelessness..." director David Diamond.

"This play is an emotional thing for me because with my character on stage, I'm finding Morgan on that stage... the transitions that I go through daily... the battles. It's an emotional time," Forry says.

Forry has been homeless for three months now, following nine months in social housing and a further three years of homelessness prior to that.

He's receiving off-and-on treatment for mental health issues. He has attempted suicide more than once (he was "two seconds away from death" in one suicide-by-cop incident).

He lives in a tent in Newton. It leaks. The zipper is broken. And there are animals around.

Although he's got a place to stay in the Downtown Eastside during Vancouver rehearsals for "after homelessness..." (he takes a long detour home each night, away from the lure of the drugs in the area), he won't stay at the assigned place in New Westminster for those shows, preferring his own tent instead.

Months ago, when he did have a place to stay, his mental health support disappeared. Nobody made sure he took his medications.

"I isolated (myself). And I was ready to kill myself."

Forry felt safer on the streets.

He's been fighting to receive mental health treatment again, and has been getting help from Newton Advocacy Group Society and its homeless outreach program Project Comeback.

Forry first heard about "after homelessness..." at Project Comeback.

He went for a workshop in Vancouver after he was chosen among the six to participate in the play. Although the workshop paid him money for attending, he was more interested in taking part for the sake of the experience.

"Headlines Theatre... they deal with everyday life of gang life, meth addictions, shattered images, everything like that, bringing it to a forum theatre," Forry says.

He learned at lot during the week-long workshop, which had 21 participants.

He did run into problems during before being accepted as a cast member, though. His résumé (prepared with the help of Project Comeback) indicated he was homeless, and organizers wanted people who were "formerly" homeless.

He was among 120 applicants seeking six spots. He was not accepted.

"After (it) was over, I felt as if I had lost my life."

Forry went back to his tent.

"I was praying out loud... it was pissing rain. I was just down on myself, tired, sick. I prayed out loud, 'just give me my opportunity back. Put me in that cast.' "

A week later, he was contacted by Headlines Theatre. One of the cast members hadn't showed up for three days.

They offered the open spot, and Forry was back in a heartbeat.

His next problem was making it to rehearsals. Although he would be provided with a place to sleep, the play's schedules conflicted with the line-ups at the Vancouver soup kitchens.

"I was piss-poor broke, I didn't know what I was gonna do. My biggest concern was eating."

Hearing of his situation, the staff at Project Comeback gave him a $25 Tim Hortons gift card.

"It got me through that week," he says on a day he's back at their office to return the money.

"It may not seem like much to a person who doesn't need that, but I needed it. I'm just so grateful."

Forry spares no effort to sing the praises of Project Comeback, saying it's the reason he's still alive.

The programs helps homeless people in Surrey find and keep jobs, deal with finances, obtain housing and look after their health. It also offers counselling and recovery resources.

Recently, Forry received a $600 cheque for his participation.

While still living in his leaky tent in Newton, he donated half of his earnings to Project Comeback.

Headlines Theatre's 2009 production of "after homelessness..." will take place in two venues. The first shows will be from Nov. 21-29 at 8 p.m. at the Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver, 280 E. Cordova. (Preview night is Nov. 20, with two-for-one tickets.) Tickets are $10 plus $2 advance purchase fee. For reservations (recommended), call 604-689-0926.

Shows will also run Dec. 1-6 at 8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 514 Carnarvon St. in New Westminster. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call 604-871-0508. The free open forums, which will include a number of civic officials and journalists, will take place Nov. 24-26 at 1:30 p.m. at the Firehall Arts Centre.

For more information about the play "after homelessness...", visit www.headlinestheatre.com. For more information about Project Comeback, visit www.newtonadvocacygroup.ca or call 604-596-2311, local 128.

bjoseph@surreyleader.com