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RE: I just went to prison for 5 months. Again. | 02
Amazing. I've never taught in a prison, but performed in them several times, with teen casts. It was always an amazing, eye opening experience. Keep it up. You are taking art into places where it deeply, deeply, needed.
That’s so awesome, I’d love to know how the teens felt about performing in the prison. Must have been eye-opening indeed. Thanks for stopping by!
Well, it was a church group. We used to stage a tour of Godspell every year. So, we got invited to one minimum security men's prison, a women's prison and two youth detention centers. For the most part, it was a lot like any other production. We didn't get to interact a whole lot. But, I would say it made them more aware of the kind of people that end up behind bars and the reasons. It's easy to believe that everyone in there is a dangerous thug of some sort. But many just get caught in the system and can't get out.
Totally. It’s an invisible community to most people, and it’s incredibly eye-opening when we get to experience life behind bars! What a great experience for you--and the people who got to experience your performance.
Yes, it was an amazing time. I think most who grew up in a minority community, or marginalized group, including poor people of all ethnic backgrounds, are not surprised by how easy it is to get stuck in the system. It is mostly those who've managed to find success that can overlook it, or claim that it truly is just and those there are always deserving.
100%! Privilege leads to blind spots!