Reentry Through the Arts

to.be.FREE

Funded by California Arts Council Reentry Through the Arts Grant 2019

The Project

Moving Forward

to.be.FREE

Bi-monthly theatre, movement and writing workshops serving the formerly incarcerated and those on work release in partnership with Friends Outside in Los Angeles County’s Dads Back! Academy. An extended series of Saturday workshops culminated in the creation and performance of three participant-generated theatre pieces.

The workshops gave the participants an opportunity to examine, express and redefine their life stories through a creative process.

Composed by Bonnie Banfield, based on the participants’ writing

Playwright

Alexa Kershner and Susan Franklin Tanner

Director

Susan Franklin Tanner

Producer

Dads Back! Academy Clients

Participants

Whitney Wakimoto, John Polite, and Rubén Guevara

Professional Actor(s)

Susan Franklin Tanner, Rubén Guevara, Alexa Kershner, Jim Macdonald, Marlene McCurtis

Teaching Artist(s)

PERFORMANCES

Venue(s)
Various and Los Angeles Superior Court, Noise Now at A Noise Within in Pasadena, 24th Street Theatre and DOORS Reentry Center

“I wanted you to know it was a real pleasure and experience working with you.... and I really wanted to be able to continue this experience with you whenever the budget allows it to come together again. Thanks for allowing me …. Tommie …a convicted felon... to share with others ... my life hardship and allowing my story to be free.”

— Tommie M.
to.be.FREE Participant

MEDIA

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