Rehabilitation Through The Arts (RTA), a program that provides theatrical training for incarcerated men in Sing Sing and five other New York State correctional facilities, will present its first-ever NYC benefit performance of "From Sing Sing to Broadway - An Evening Without Walls" on June 5th at 7:30pm at Playwrights Horizons Theatre (416 W. 42nd St., between 9th and 10th Avenues).
The performers are formerly incarcerated men who served between eight and twenty five years in prison and are now active members of their communities.
"'From Sing Sing to Broadway - An Evening Without Walls,' written by RTA prison members and directed by Brent Buell, tells the story of how convicted men's thinking can evolve from the denial, rage and fear they feel upon entering prison, to a deep transformation of self through the power of art and education. Dramatic, humorous, inspiring and educational, this evening will highlight the humanity of people behind bars," state press notes.
"Theater Behind The Walls provides a means for prisoners to build self-esteem within the supportive environment of a theater community. The efficacy of the approach is evident in the meaningful and productive lives and jobs of the members of this cast. Most of the men who go through RTA training and are subsequently released go into professions providing social services to their communities." The program was started ten years ago by Katherine
Vockins, currently the Executive Director of RTA.
Critically acclaimed actor Charles Dutton (
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson), who himself served eight years behind bars before establishing his noted career in theater and film, will be a special guest at this event. Dutton credits his theatrical experience during his time in prison as a major turning point in his life.
Director Brent Buell has been a volunteer with RTA for five years and directed
Reality in Motion, Stratford's Decision, and wrote and directed
Breakin' the Mummy's Code. A veteran stage actor, he can currently be seen in the role of Don Ramon in th
E Eddy Duran/Maverick Pictures comedy
Grand Opening, and as an FBI agent in the thriller
Al Qareem, directed by Affandy Farooq.
A cocktail reception will follow the performance. Purchase tickets by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 ($125 per ticket - Priority seating $200 per ticket).
Rehabilitation Through The Arts (RTA) is A Program of Prison Communities International Inc. Visit
www.p-c-i.org for additional information on RTA.
