We look, but don鈥檛 see; hear but don鈥檛 listen, and in the process, we do a great disservice to the people who may need our help the most.

That鈥檚 the message a 91原创 high school student will try to convey as she presents her original play, Invisible Out Loud.

Written and directed by Desiree Wallace, the drama examines the way homeless people are treated by society.

鈥淢y play is focused on misconceptions about homelessness,鈥� said the 18-year-old LSS student who volunteers at Joe鈥檚 soup kitchen in St. Joseph鈥檚 Catholic church.

Drawing on a combination of her own experiences and research, Wallace crafted a story about a homeless man named Buddy who has settled outside the doors of a hotel. 

As guests come and go, they barely spare a glance for the downtrodden man, even though he tries to be friendly and make conversation with them.

鈥淗omeless people tend to be invisible to people. We don鈥檛 really treat them like they鈥檙e human,鈥� said the young playwright.

鈥淚 have two passions 鈥� art and drama, and the issue of homelessness. I鈥檝e integrated the two,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 love to write, but this is the first play I鈥檝e written.鈥�

Aside from suffering the occasional bout of writer鈥檚 block, she said, the process went fairly smoothly.

鈥淚 was really inspired by my subject,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t came from the heart.鈥�

The play intersperses moments of levity within the drama, she said.

Wallace cast the play鈥檚 10 characters from the Grade 11 and 12 students she鈥檚 worked alongside in the school鈥檚 drama program.

鈥淚 wanted to do it last year, but I had no time,鈥� said Wallace, who graduates this spring. 

She has been involved in drama and musical theatre for several years, however, once she鈥檚 done high school, she won鈥檛 be pursuing a career on the stage.

Instead, she plans to study global stewardship at Capilano College.

The young woman is already putting her convictions into action.

Used clothes and blankets, new socks will be collected at the door will be given to Fraser Holland, 91原创鈥檚 community outreach worker to distribute.

Invisible Out Loud will be performed at 91原创 Secondary School鈥檚 dramnasium on Thursday, May 26. 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Before Wallace鈥檚 play, which runs approximately 45 minutes, the audience will get the opportunity to watch a number of short student films. 

LSS is located at 21405 56 Ave. 

Admission to the play is by donation to 91原创鈥檚 Community Outreach program, with a suggested minimum donation of $5.