Frank Delila of NY1 interviews RTA member before "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

NY1 Reporter Frank DiLella attended an RTA production of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” last month in Fishkill Correctional Facility.  Check out his excellent story, that truly represented what RTA is about.

“Unlocking a Future” offers a rare and intimate glimpse inside three New York State prisons, and at the lives of inmates still incarcerated, and two who were released – including one exonerated of murder. The series also profiles those working within the prison system to humanize life behind bars, providing hope for a better existence once they walk beyond those prison walls.

Don’t miss  the two sections on RTA, including Opening Night at Sing Sing

RTA Alumni Dance at Vassar College

The workshop “Theatricalizing the Personal Narrative” took place over several months in Woodbourne Correctional Facility, a medium security men’s prison in Sullivan County, and ended with a riveting presentation of monologues performed by prisoners for invited prisoner and outside guests. Some pieces were light, but most, dealing with confusion, loss and remorse, were wrenching – a child torn from his mother, a brutal incident in the prison yard, a 14 year old girl caught in the crossfire.

The audience was moved by the men’s talent, as well as their courage to speak so deeply and honestly about their lives, displaying, as Sherie commented, a “level of commitment and bravery it takes some actors years to go to”.

While RTA focuses on the transformative power of the arts on prisoners, we sometimes forget how important the transformative experience is for volunteers. Sherie’s coming “face to face with preconceived ideas I was not even aware of” is a shared experience among volunteers, a recognition of the humanity they see behind prison walls, and often, a life-changing revelation.

RTA Participants, Facilitators and Staff in Woodbourne Correctional Facility

On June 9th, a small classroom tucked inside a medium security prison in Sullivan County was the scene of a theatrical gem, “Theatricalizing the Personal Narrative”.  The few people lucky enough to see this groundbreaking work were facilitators and guests of Rehabilitation Through The Arts, along with several men from the prison population of Woodbourne Correctional Facility.

This powerful monologue presentation was the result of an extraordinary writing and performing workshop facilitated by Shawn Fischer, Sherie Rene Scott and Dick Scanlan.

Video excerpts to come.

Superior Donuts will be performed in Sing Sing on May 11th and 12th for the prisoner population, and May 13th for invited community guests.

“I’m glad it’s in your hands,” he said, adding later, “I don’t think hope is phony. I think hope is gold.”

RTA Modern Dance Class

The article recognizes the dedication of Susan and her colleague, Bethany Wootan, and speaks to the power of the arts to uplift and transform. 

Knowing how chaotic much of the men’s lives may be, and seeing form, sinew, line and grace come forth to present the spirit of each individual in collaboration and harmony with his company of dancers, is hopeful beyond all reason.Dance teacher Brenda Bufalino, following performance of Woodbourne’s “Figures in Flight” dance company

photo by Javier Cardona

New York University’s symposium “The Bully Menace and Applied Theatre” - at the Provincetown Playhouse on April 15th – featured RTA alumni from Woodbourne Correctional Facility performing works written by men currently incarcerated.

Pictured above from left to right – David Giraudy, Manny Borras, Michael Coaxum, Andre Noel and Jason Bermudez – read works by John Dickerson, Jecoina Vinson, Felix Rondon, Elder Beaudouin, David Mantalvo and Andre Noel (recently released), who participate in RTA’s program in Woodbourne, a medium security prison in Sullivan County. 

Joining the group below are Katherine Vockins, RTA Executive Director, Nan Smithner, NYU Educational Theatre professor and frequent RTA volunteer, and Javier Cardona, RTA Director of Arts & Education.

The work explores physical, psychological and systemic bullying  in families, streets and prison.  It comes out of the NYU/RTA Prison Initiative, which provides prisoners an opportunity to work with outstanding academics and practioners, and provides a deeply rewarding professional and personal opportunity for graduate students and faculty to work behind bars.