UW-Parkside News: Shakespeare Prison Project “Voyage Home” Sunday

Shakespeare Prison Project “Voyage Home” Sunday

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Communication Department and Professor Jonathan Shailor host a special program on prison and the power of theatre to change lives Sunday, Jan. 13. Titled "The Voyage Home: The Shakespeare Prison Project Beyond Bars" and featuring Nick Leair, the program is held in Studio A of the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities beginning at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Leair, an alumnus of the Shakespeare Prison Project, tells his story and presents a performance to open the program. Dr. Shailor, who founded and has directed the Shakespeare Prison Project since 2004, then leads a conversation with the audience. The program also features Kelley Ristow of The Back Room Shakespeare Project, Chicago, and UW-Parkside Theatre Arts major Alex Metalsky.

"Currently, more than 89,000 people are incarcerated or under supervision by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Of those who are in prison, 97 percent will be returning to our communities. The question we must answer is: How do we want them returned to us?" Dr. Shailor said.

He describes the Shakespeare Prison Project as a college-level theatre program providing inmates with the opportunity to develop a variety of skills--among them a strong work ethic, commitment, dedication, focus, responsibility, accountability, teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict resolution--that are essential for their successful re-entry to society. Virtually every study conducted in the past 50 years, Shailor added, shows post-secondary education is a major factor in successful re-entry and reintegration of ex-offenders.
"The Voyage Home: The Shakespeare Prison Project Beyond Bars," featuring Nick Leair, is also presented by the UW-Parkside Center for Ethnic Studies and the College of Arts & Humanities. For more information, access jonathan.shailor@gmail.com by email.

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Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 1/9/2013