TEDxEast - Curt Tofteland - This thing of darkness

"Performing New Lives" in Madison, Wisconsin

"Performing New Lives" Book Tour: Milwaukee

The Performing New Lives book tour came to Milwaukee on Friday, and played to an intimate audience of five at Boswell's Bookstore on Downer. The conversation eventually turned to the question of my next project. I said that I'd like to put together a play that weaves the prisoners' personal stories into, around and one of Shakespeare's plays. One audience member mentioned Sita Sings the Blues --Nina Paley's interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana--as one possible source of inspiration. Thanks, Jessie!

Performing New Lives Book Tour: Racine, Wisconsin

On Thursday, December 9, Jonathan Shailor gave a talk on Performing New Lives: Prison Theatre to a gathering of 10 brave souls who made their way through the snow to the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church in Racine, Wisconsin. The event was sponsored by the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice.

Some comments from the participants:

Providing a group of prisoners with sanctuary provides them with that magic circle of the theatre. It's a safe place to read, learn, perform and be part of a trusting group.

~ Andy McLean, Shakespeare scholar and Professor Emeritus of English, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, participant in The Shakespeare Prison Project of Wisconsin

Richness of acting, and pulling from their own tragedies, made the plays more poignant.

~ Kay Gregor, Executive Director, Racine Literacy Council; participant in The Shakespeare Prison Project of Wisconsin

I cheer you on! Wonderful! It is an experience of transformation for all involved, including the family and friends of the prisoners!

~ Mary S. Kugel

"Performing New Lives" at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside

At a warm reception in the Faculty/Staff Lounge, Meade Palidofsky reads from her chapter on "Fabulous Females." Meade and Performing New Lives editor Jonathan Shailor spent the past two days with each other, sharing information and stories about their work, and developing some exciting new ideas in the process!