The project comes from the actor’s gang which is a theater company that was found in 1981. The project seeks to help participants help manage their emotional life. The acting workshop is all improvised, there’s no script. It is very difficult in prison. They can’t show fear, sadness, or happiness. It’s pretty much an environment of anger.
Being in prison sometimes makes it hard to express true feelings because there’s this whole unspoken thing that you can’t trust, you can’t feel, you can’t talk to anyone. You should be tough while doing your time. Prisoners are losing their identity, their individuality.
The project that helps prisoners get into theater acting somehow allows them to let go of inner emotions, it allows them to introspect and deal with issues that they may be having. Being in prison is a difficult journey but when you give them a purpose, they can overcome any struggles and cope up with the challenges within bars.
No One With Sane Mind Wants Crimes To Happen
When worst happens, crimes happen out of anger, hatred, or even out unwanted circumstances. Regardless, people are given a chance to stay out of prison by posting bail bonds. But there are others who can’t so they will have to wait behind bars for the court to hear their case.
But for those who will have to spend the rest of their life in prison, this could be another story. They will have to learn to adapt to a life far from what they are used to. While serving time can make huge changes in all their habits, it also takes away a lot of privilege and mostly a huge part of their identity.
Theater Helps Rehabilitate
The acting project introduced to prisoners helps them get through a healing process. It teaches prisoners that emotions can be controlled and there is an artistic outlet for it. It allows them to release negative energy and welcome inner peace that they really need.
Theater acting allows them to develop better skills in dealing with people, coping with emotions, and discovering a whole new personality that’s better and more socially acceptable.