SIP History
Shakespeare in Prison￨Program History
We can hardly believe it, but here we are: celebrating FOURTEEN YEARS of Shakespeare in Prison!
On February 7, 2012, SIP was founded by a small ensemble at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. We’ve come a long way since that cold February day when one woman walked in and asked, “What is Shakespeare?” We’ve been figuring it out together ever since—not only with nearly 300 people in prison, but beyond the barbed wire fence with SIP alums in our post-release program.
… if you’d like to join the celebration with a (tax deductible!) 14th Birthday gift!
A clear timeline that highlights key moments
2012
February
Shakespeare in Prison begins at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.
August
The women’s ensemble performs Scenes and Monologues.
2013
June
The women’s ensemble performs The Tempest.
2014
June
The women’s ensemble performs Romeo and Juliet.
2015
June
The women’s ensemble performs The Taming of the Shrew.
August
SIP officially moves to its new home—Detroit Public Theatre!
2016
June
The women’s ensemble performs Othello.
2017
January
SIP partners with Youth Arts Alliance to offer Shakespeare-based workshops to youth in treatment and detention. Workshops run through February 2018.
June
The women’s ensemble performs Richard III.
SIP’s program for men at Parnall Correctional Facility launches and performs Macbeth. This program runs through August 2019; the blog is archived here.
November
The men’s ensemble performs Othello.
2018
February
Shakespeare Reclaimed, our post-release alumni program, launches.
April
The men’s ensemble performs The Tempest.
June
The women’s ensemble performs Macbeth.
August
The women’s ensemble’s short film of Sonnet 35 is released as part of The Sonnet Project US.
2019
January
SIP staff complete the 2016-17 case study of the women’s ensemble.
April
The men’s ensemble performs King Lear.
June
The women’s ensemble performs Twelfth Night.
August
Work begins on RICHARD III—IN PRISON: A Critical Edition.
2020
March
Michigan’s correctional facilities temporarily suspend outside programs, including Shakespeare in Prison, due to the COVID-19 crisis. Work continues with alumni and on potential models for the prison program when it is able to resume.
June
Structured online programming for SIP alums begins.
SIP begins sending Shakespeare-based activity packs to currently incarcerated ensemble members.
July
The book featuring the authors’ visit to SIP’s men’s ensemble—Union: A Democrat, a Republican, and a Search for Common Ground—is published.
2021
March
SIP staff complete a report following up on the 2016-17 case study.
July
SIP facilitates its first-ever webinar with program alumni.
2022
February
Shakespeare in Prison turns ten years old!
August
SIP is a community partner for The End of Isolation Tour’s Detroit performances of “The BOX”.
2023
January
Shakespeare in Prison resumes in-person programming at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.
2025
June
SIP pilot’s its first Summer Writing Program inside the facility, with the alumni performing the pieces at Detroit Public Theatre.
But wait… There’s more!
Inside SIP
If you’re looking for photos, videos, the blog, and activity packs—this is the page for you!
Donate to SIP
Your support is crucial as we continue our work in prisons, and with SIP alumni post-release through Shakespeare Reclaimed.
SIP History
Wondering what we’ve been up to since our founding in February 2012? Well, lucky you—we made a timeline with all the major milestones.