Findings demonstrate value and impact of healing-centered prison arts programs The California Arts Council has released the findings of a needs assessment and process and impact evaluation of the state agency’s Arts in Corrections program. The report, Flowers Grown in Concrete: Exploring the Healing Power of the Arts for People Experiencing Incarceration—demonstrates three major findings…
A wonderfully creative man named Gene Gordon is a huge Shakespeare fan. He and his late wife June used to join us for Ashland trips each year, and come to see our plays. Gene is now publishing a series “The Bardolator” about different Shakespeare plays, featuring reminiscences of local theatre artists. He did one about…
by Lesley Schisgall Currier Today was the first day back for the Friday Shakespeare group. As it turns out, almost all of the men in this group are either in one or the other classes this week, or turned up for them anyway. This is a phenomenon specific to San Quentin. At other prisons, if…
By Lesley Schisgall Currier Today was our first day back with the Acting for Veterans group. Most, but not all, of the men in this group are military Veterans. They had created a fully developed script based on their personal stories which was slated to be performed in a few weeks when Covid hit. Back…
by Lesley Schisgall Currier June 16, 2021 See below for additional installments! Today, after 15 months without setting foot inside a prison, we returned to San Quentin to teach our first class. We spent the pandemic creating “alternative programming” for the 14 California state prisons, Alameda Juvenile Hall, and Marin’s Community School where we work…
The Washington Post featured Marin Shakespeare Company’s Returned Citizens Theatre Troupe in their article The American parole system is an endless trap — and a moral outrage – The Washington Post …
Published by the Pulitzer Center: https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/how-covid-has-disrupted-rehabilitative-prison-arts-programs by Emma Ward Pulitzer Center Student Reporting Fellow…
‘Play Power’ creative dramatics classes for K-5 engage students in active learning Marin Shakespeare Company has launched Play Power, a series of free creative dramatics video classes for grades K-5. All 36 videos and lesson plans are available to elementary schools at no charge. Skilled teaching artists engage students’ creativity, imagination, and curiosity through theatre…
May, 1, 2020 – As Sheltering in Place continues, Wanda Sabir interviews Dameion Brown. Slide show and website link: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks/2020/05/01/wandas-picks-radio-show In the first conversation Michael J. Satchell and his editor, Marvin X, share the story of Tariq, a great Moorish General. Satchell has published his screenplay to raise funds to make the movie. Then in our…
For many of the incarcerated men, women, and youth who take Shakespeare classes with us, Shakespeare for Social Justice is an important lifeline, providing the gift of connection, creativity, and emotional growth. We are happy to share stories, quotes, memories and musings from the teaching artists and students of Shakespeare for Social Justice, creating a…
