The Shakespeare Behind Bars program is held in a small windowless room on the first floor of a building located at the far side of the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex prison yard. Participating inmates make the trek down the long, narrow concrete walkway, passing guards and other prisoners, walking by the tiny chapel and the long rows of whitewashed inmate dormitories on their way to Shakespeare rehearsal. The four inmates who participate in The Journeymen program, all young men with no prior theater experience, meet once a week and work through monologues from various Shakespeare plays.
Shakespeare Behind Bars is a program that incorporates theater, specifically the works of William Shakespeare, into prisons. The organization has been doing just that since 1995. The Journeymen is Shakespeare Behind Bars’ new program, aimed at inmates between the ages of 18 and 21 in the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
“The Mission of Shakespeare Behind Bars is to offer theatrical encounters with personal and social issues to the incarcerated, allowing them to develop life skills that will ensure their successful reintegration into society,” reads the organization’s website.
“It’s important to me that we embrace the humanity and goodness in others, empowering personal growth, responsibility, and empathy,” said Matt Wallace, the artistic director for the program at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex.
The organization believes that, regardless of their varied pasts, the inmates can find hope and courage and transform into the people they ultimately want to be.
“Shakespeare Behind Bars was founded on the beliefs that all human beings are inherently good, and that although convicted criminals have committed heinous crimes against other human beings, this inherent goodness still lives deep within them and must be called forth,” reads the website.
The Journeymen ensemble comes together at the end of a session, calling out, “1, 2, 3, Shakespeare!”
Photos by Holly Stone.
VSA Kentucky, the state organization on arts and disability, and the Kentucky Department of Education recently provided funding for The Journeymen program. VSA stands for Vision of an inclusive society, Strength in shared resources, and Artistic expression that unites us all. Shakespeare Behind Bars is a perfect example of these three goals.
“I cannot begin to express my gratitude to VSA Kentucky and the Kentucky Department of Education for funding The Journeymen program,” said Wallace.
Wallace developed The Journeymen program and facilitates weekly rehearsals with the help of veteran Shakespeare Behind Bars ensemble members.
“Young inmates who are new to the penitentiary are at a higher risk of getting into disciplinary trouble,” said Wallace. “The Journeymen program gives them positive experiences and an opportunity to contribute to society.”
Of the 22 eligible inmates at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, five young men volunteered for the program. The group is now down to four members, as one of the participating inmates was released on parole in mid-January.
“Thou art a hideous, evil-eyed cankerblossom,” Carter shouted vehemently at Smith.
“Thou art a grizzled, iron-witted dogfish!” countered Smith.
On Monday, January 28, rehearsal got off to a slow start, as the men were waiting on Brett Combs, the fourth member of the group. The room was quiet. The men sat in small metal chairs that were spaced out in a haphazard circle. Two mentors from the adult Shakespeare Behind Bars program, currently in rehearsals for their June performance of “Richard III,” were also present. Wallace asked the inmates how they were doing. Marquise Carter was the only one to respond, mentioning something about getting a TV in his dormitory.
Wallace decided to start the rehearsal without Combs and the men stood up to do a series of theater exercises. The atmosphere in the room immediately changed. A good-natured camaraderie took hold of the group. In one exercise, each inmate had to pantomime an action suggested by another inmate. The men laughed as Travis Smith, the youngest and most serious looking member of the bunch, suavely and realistically acted out “model on a runway,” strutting his stuff into the middle of the group.
The liveliest part of the two hours came when the inmates were given a list of Shakespearean insults and instructed to have an insult battle.
“Thou art a hideous, evil-eyed cankerblossom,” Carter shouted vehemently at Smith.
“Thou art a grizzled, iron-witted dogfish!” countered Smith.
The men often broke character and laughed as they shot the archaic curses back and forth. But the exercise was also a contest and, since one man would be deemed the winner, there were bouts of intensity during which the prisoners took ownership of the insults, ignoring the silliness of the diction and following a gut instinct.
Wallace reminded the inmates about the importance of this instinct.
“Be in the moment,” said Wallace. “This is all about listening and reacting. When you’re honest, there’s no right or wrong.”
Wallace emphasized that Shakespeare Behind Bars and other similar programs help the incarcerated lead successful lives after they are released.
“Over 98 percent of the incarcerated will eventually return to society and become our neighbors,” said Wallace. “If we treat them as animals in a cage, why shouldn’t we expect for them to behave that way when they get out? Programs like [Shakespeare Behind Bars] are ultimately making society a better, safer place.”
Wallace is also thankful to have had the opportunity to provide a program for a younger demographic.
“It is often difficult for 18 to 21 year olds to get into a program since they are new to the institutions,” said Wallace. “We are able to work with them and mentor them in a positive way at this critical stage when they are new to prison and can go either way. Hopefully we are able to provide them with some tools to positively navigate their way in prison and in their return to society.”
The positive effects of Shakespeare Behind Bars are shown in the recidivism rates, or the rates at which criminals re-offend. According to the Pew Center on the States, the national three-year recidivism rate is 43 percent. According to the Kentucky Department of Corrections, the Kentucky three-year recidivism rate is 40.3 percent. Wallace said the recidivism rate for the Shakespeare Behind Bars Luther Luckett Correctional Complex program is just 6.5 percent. Out of the 61 inmates to complete the program and be released into society, only four have committed new crimes and returned to prison. Two more inmates will be returning to society in March and April.
The rehearsal moved on to Shakespeare and each Journeymen participant performed a Shakespeare monologue and then proceeded to work the monologue with the help and feedback of Wallace and the other inmates.
After Carter performed a Claudius monologue from “Hamlet,” the other inmates gave him constructive criticism.
“I believed it; it was honest,” said Erroll Rogers, one of the Shakespeare Behind Bars mentors. “But there were two spots where you were rushing the words.”
Wallace encouraged Carter to up the stakes.
“Make it more important,” said Wallace. “That’s why we do Shakespeare. It’s life and death!”
Combs performed the “To be or not to be” monologue from “Hamlet” and the group worked together to help him overcome his timidity. Afterwards, Combs reflected on his performance.
“I felt nervous,” said Combs. “But I thought I put more emotion in it. I connected with it, I really did. It needed to be pushed out.”
For Combs, The Journeymen program gives him the opportunity to express himself.
“It’s helping me try to overcome my bashfulness,” said Combs. “I’m not used to a big group, so it helps me show my creativity.”
Wallace has already seen changes in the
inmates.
“I see our young Journeymen participants gaining confidence, improving impulse control, and becoming more empathetic,” said Wallace.
By playing and exploring characters, Wallace believes the inmates find healthy ways of expressing emotion and recognizing unhealthy behaviors.
“Had they had some of the skills and ability for safe emotional discharge, it may have prevented some of their past behaviors,” said Wallace.
As each man delivered his monologue, the other inmates were eager to offer feedback and criticism. When Smith delivered a powerful Shylock monologue from “The Merchant of Venice,” Carter encouraged him to use his own experience of being incarcerated.
“You already mad at these people here ‘cause they locked you up,” said Carter. “In the monologue, you about to be locked up. Use that.”
Not only do the inmates work through personal issues and fine tune their monologues during rehearsals, but they also enjoy the process.
“We can come here and have fun,” said Tay Reed. “When we in here, it’s like we ain’t locked up.”
Carter agreed with that sentiment.
“It’s therapeutic,” said Carter. “You get to release all the emotions, while keeping your sanity. Going through your lines will help you in life in general. I have an attitude problem. And in [Shakespeare rehearsal] I get to lash out. If I lashed out on the yard, I’d get in trouble.”
Rogers has learned to appreciate the creative process of theater through his time with Shakespeare Behind Bars and mentoring The Journeymen.
“It gets me out of my regular state of mind,” said Rogers.
Rogers has been participating in the program for years and will play Lord Stanley in the upcoming production of “Richard III.”
“Since I’ve been locked up, I try to take myself out of my comfort zone,” said Rogers. “I challenge myself in anything. I am challenged in a positive way and able to give honest feedback”
For the Shakespeare Behind Bars veterans participating in The Journeymen program, taking on the role of a mentor is significant in terms of personal growth.
“To be able to mentor is like giving back,” said Joseph Ford, who will be playing Earl Rivers in “Richard III.” “I used to be a bully, coming from the streets. And to be able to help these younger guys, it’s like God saying I’m on track.”
The program also helps break down the social divisions of the prison. Combs admitted that he probably would never have known Reed or Carter if it had not been for The Journeymen program.
“You engage with different types of people here,” said Combs.
Wallace believes that his role as artistic director is to encourage truthfulness and create a safe creative environment.
“I try to recognize their creative impulses, nurture them, and often try to get them out of their own way,” said Wallace. “One of my proud Journeymen moments was when one of our participants, just a few visits in, stopped another participant at the beginning of his monologue and said, ‘No, man. You’re acting. Try it again.’ My goal is to help strip away the masks they wear and find the authentic person and the authentic moment.”
The Journeymen will continue to meet once a week until the Shakespeare Behind Bars season ends in June. The four young participants will present a short pre-show performance before the older men in Shakespeare Behind Bars perform their production of “Richard III.” For now, the participants are happy to have found a program where they can express themselves in a safe environment.
“I can let my guard down,” said Combs. “I feel more comfortable around these guys than anyone else here. I was worried about what everyone would think, but it’s different in here. It’s helping me better myself and I’m going to keep doing it.”
At the end of rehearsal, the inmates and Wallace circle up and put their right hands together in the center, like a sports team might before a game. Wallace counts them off, “1, 2, 3,” and the group shouts in unison, “Shakespeare!”
Shakespeare Behind Bars will hold three performances of “Richard III” for inmate audiences and four public performances June 17-20. Family members, Kentucky Department of Corrections staff, and Shakespeare Behind Bars donors receive reservation priority. The reservation request and security clearance process will begin in May. For more information on Shakespeare Behind Bars, visit shakespearebehindbars.org.
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