In the throes of the global pandemic, Tommy Taylor, a Hamilton-based theatre artist and activist, found himself on the frontlines of homelessness services. His latest work, You Should Have Stayed Home Too, unveils a raw and shocking narrative. From dire events in Toronto’s downtown encampments to his role at the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre, Tommy exposes our fragility and unpreparedness. Deaths of friends, battles with politicians, and the epidemic of toxic drug deaths—all woven into a cautionary tale shared by the world. As You Should Have Stayed Home Too evolves, a staged reading at Brave New Works becomes a vital space for exploration, audience feedback, and confronting COVID fatigue. Tommy’s urgent call to action reverberates from deeply painful to darkly humourous, urging us to learn, act, and change course before it’s too late.

Written by Tommy Taylor

Image submitted by artist.