Northpoint: Voices from a Kentucky Prison

Monday, May 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Baruch Performing Arts Center
25th St. between Lexington Ave. & Third Ave.

New York

Tickets on sale May 1st

On Monday, May 23rd, New York’s theatrical community will come together to present Northpoint: Voices from a Kentucky Prison, a benefit reading of short plays written by prisoners at Northpoint in Burgin, Kentucky. This exciting, one-night only event will support the 2011 playwriting program at Northpoint as well as seed a two-week playwright residency at the prison.

The performance will feature:

The Lie and the Cover by Nicklaus Murrell, directed by Daniel Talbott

Screen Warriors by Denny Holder, directed by Jeremy Dobrish

Convictions by Rob Daughenbaugh, directed by Melanie Sutherland

Lunker by Jack Cook, directed by Carlo Altomare

The Innocent Man by Calvin Sturgill, directed by Erma Duricko

Reflections from Behind the Wire by Rick Cavins, directed by Padraic Lillis

and live music by Doug Wamble.

The performance will last 80 minutes and be followed by a reception.

Theaterlab, a New York City non-profit arts organization, is producing Northpoint: Voices from a Kentucky Prison, in association with AMZ Creative, LLC.

THE PLAYWRITING PROGRAM AT NORTHPOINT

In the summer of 2010, Curt L. Tofteland, Shakespeare Behind Bars Producing Director, partnered with producer/playwright Robby Henson, Robby’s sister Holly Henson, (Artistic Director, Pioneer Playhouse), and playwright Elizabeth Orndorf to begin a new 10-minute playwriting program funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at the Northpoint Training Center in Burgin, Kentucky.

The inmates read Ms. Orndorf’s play The Dillenger’s Dilemma, and then, through a series of classes and workshops, wrote their own plays. The inaugural program produced 10 plays by six prisoner-playwrights.

“I am excited that the Pioneer Playhouse is interested in coordinating and conducting this project at Northpoint. I am always eager to partner with community agencies in events that are beneficial to the inmates and help teach positive new skills and interest,” said Steve Haney, Northpoint's warden.

Here’s what the prisoner-playwrights said about the program:

“This opportunity encourages us to learn about subjects that can benefit us not only while we are incarcerated, but when we rejoin society. Many of us only have what we have learned prior to prison, or in prison. So any opportunity to learn and grow is tremendously beneficial and appreciated!” -- Denny Holder

“After just two classes I have been really inspired to follow my dream of becoming a writer.” -- Jack Cook

“With art in our lives it allows us to be creative, which opens up an opportunity to think, which opens doors to see what is going on inside of us. It’s a wonderful chance to better ourselves.” -- Nicklaus Murrell

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.northpointplays.com/Northpoint/Home.html