Form

Acting Out is rooted in the belief that acting, as an art form, is one of the most effective ways to reclaim one’s power and sense of self. In class, this is effected through theatre exercises and rehearsal processes. Stripped of defenses, participants find the courage to step into the light as they are – warts and neuroses and criminal records and all. Early exercises emphasize eye contact and basic communication skills––speaking without being interrupted, listening without interjection, venting heated and emotional responses with no physical contact.  Space is then created for sharing of genuine and honest affirmations in a controlled environment without fear of ridicule or judgment.

Soon members take on roles – improvised and scripted – dealing with objects, tasks, environments, and personalities both familiar and outside their life experience. They relive (re-act) everyday situations and explore possible responses to actual and imaginary circumstances. It is a class in which men and women are not marginalized or excluded because of the mistakes they have made, but are welcomed and rewarded for the work they are doing on themselves, and where, rather than comparing themselves out, they can find a way in from the fringe, identifying their own ideas and emotions with those of their characters and fellow actors. 

The class (the seed for which was planted by an inmate who enthusiastically declared one Friday night at a prison workshop, “We gotta find a way to do this on the street!”) will be in residence at HB Studio, a venerable acting school, whose name and reputation lends legitimacy and historical significance to the project. The year-long class will culminate with a public performance of FATHERS AND SONS at HB’s adjoining black box theater. Originally staged at Otisville State Prison in 2019 the play focuses on the age-old and most challenging relationship between men, in this instance primarily of color, who struggle against great odds in their search for a resolution to their estrangement, often exacerbated by racial and economic oppression. The production will be cast from with Acting Out class members, several of whom originated their roles while incarcerated. 

The goal of the professional training and culminating performance is rigorous not only in an artistic sense – it is also designed to inculcate in the formerly incarcerated the self-regard of making and following through on a formidable commitment – for many a first-time experience – and the willingness to walk through their fear to accomplish that feat for an audience, their fellow company members, and themselves.

Plan

The men with whom I’ve worked for the last nine years are most obviously excluded from mainstream opportunities being incarcerated in a correctional facility. They are primarily African American and Latino and it is clear that their previous  marginalization played a major role in their path to crime and incarceration. However, I have witnessed amazing transformations over the years as men committed themselves to the prison acting program. I have watched men, often for the first time, truly become part of a community, cooperating and helping each other while taking their rightful place on stage and in the company. Their fervor is both refreshing and surprising since many of these men have never seen a play before, much less performed in one. This lack of exposure to the arts is further demonstrated when special performances are held for their families, and it is clear that they too were experiencing live theatre for the first time. 

Acting Out productions are intended for the general arts community as well as the families and communities of the formerly incarcerated actors, and members of arts-deprived communities. We also wish to present our productions to inner city high school and college audiences as well as alternative-to-detention programs. The material will reflect the audience for which it is presented with regard to race, economic status, and issues relevant to the lives of those whose struggle in life has been particularly challenging and whose estrangement has been acute. Company members will be drawn from a roster of men (and eventually women) after release from prison, as well as from support organizations for the formerly incarcerated such as the Fortune Society. We are currently pursuing three solid leads regarding a public interest story in the New York Times which would help our cause significantly. 

The recidivism rate of the men with whom I’ve worked is remarkably low (as it is with those involved in most arts programs behind bars) and I believe Acting Out will further strengthen that reality, providing a psychic bridge from prison to the outside world and giving hope to those who, after having lost their way found something they never knew they needed – an ability to use their innate talent and unique personhood to express themselves in a positive and proactive way. Several comments from company members after a talkback at our 2016 production of SHOWDOWN at Otisville Correctional facility drive this point home:  This interdependence... this bond that we have and that we share through this experience is like no other... how to work together, how to listen, be accountable... I’m tired of keeping everything in, it’s time to express myself... I just want to change my life, to be able to say I accomplished something... break barriers, knock down that wall I built around myself... this has made me so, so, so, so grateful.