LEWISTON – The public is invited to attend a free performance of “Hear Our Stories, Know Our Names,” a drama about the lives and struggles of poor people in Maine.

Sponsored by the Maine Council of Churches, the play is based on the experiences of people who have been homeless at one point in their lives and have courageously dealt with a broad scope of challenges.

Since its premier last year, the show has been seen by thousands of Mainers in more than 24 live performances. The performance Thursday is at Chase Hall Lounge on the Bates College campus.

The play’s sponsors believe the real-life stories of people who have experienced homelessness are much more telling than reading government statistics and reports.

“Drama is a very good way to tell a story,” said Dolores Vail, coordinator of the Economic Justice Program of the Maine Council of Churches, in a statement about the performance.

Vail came up with the idea for the play, then worked with a group of others to recruit nine people from Preble Street Resource Center in Portland who were interested in developing their personal stories into a performance piece.

After every performance, the audience is invited to participate in a group discussion with the performers.

Admission is free. However, donations are welcome.