We picked up where we left off in Act 1, Scene 1, but before moving forward, ensemble members who had been present at our previous session helped catch everyone up. One member recapped what had happened so far, while another jumped in with additional details. Already, understanding the play was becoming a shared responsibility.

This week, the books were finally in our hands. After several weeks of monologues, introductions, experimentation, and conversations about what everyone hopes to bring to the ensemble this year, we officially began reading King Lear. Before opening to Act 1, Scene 1, we spent some time getting acquainted with the play itself. We went through the characters together, practiced pronouncing their names, and talked about how our first read-through works: anyone can read any role, everyone should try different characters, and no one needs to worry about getting every word right.

Before opening the script for King Lear, we wanted to spend one final session exploring monologues and, more importantly, learning about the people who will make up this year’s ensemble. After check-in, the ring, and a name game, we began our three questions ritual

This week, we continued our exploration of Shakespeare’s monologues, but something began to shift. Ensemble members weren’t just reading the words anymore. They were standing up, moving, experimenting, making choices, and beginning to discover what happens when Shakespeare moves from the page into the body.

This session began with a reunion. One ensemble member was the first to arrive, and I was especially excited to see her after she had taken a short break from the program. As we caught up, I told our new facilitators, Lulu and Olivia, about her talent for writing lyrics. Almost immediately, that turned into an idea: what if King Lear began with a rap that summarized the story? It was only one idea, but it was a preview of where the ensemble would take us that night.

This week, we welcomed a new group of members into Shakespeare in Prison. The room was incredibly full when we arrived, and there was an immediate sense of excitement. Some of our new members were encountering SIP for the first time, while others already had connections to the program. One new member even recognized Kyle from The Taming of the Shrew in 2015 and shared that she had participated in theatre outside of SIP. When we asked who had seen an SIP performance before, most of the new members had attended our recent SIP & Beyond performance. We began where every new ensemble begins: with our information packet, our values, and a conversation about what exactly it means to be an ensemble.

September 1 marked the first session of a new Shakespeare season, and after a summer spent creating and performing original work, the ensemble returned to Shakespeare with curiosity, humor, and a willingness to experiment. After check-in and the ring, we shifted our attention toward the season ahead. Before jumping directly into King Lear, we spent the evening exploring monologues and scenes from several Shakespeare plays, giving ensemble members the opportunity to try characters, discover objectives, and simply play.

With our summer performances behind us, our final session of the summer program gave us an opportunity to come back together, reflect on everything we had accomplished, and begin looking toward what comes next for Shakespeare in Prison. Before we even made it into the ring, the evening began with conversation. One participant shared good news about her niece, who had been in a coma and was beginning to wake up. She was only able to stay long enough to say goodbye before leaving to call her family. Before she left, we found ourselves talking about some of the realities of life inside. At one point she told me, “I’m glad you guys see how it really is.”

This was the ensemble’s final performance of the summer. The ensemble returned to the stage for one final show, bringing the production to an energetic and celebratory close. Before the performance, ensemble members set the space and prepare props and costumes. The energy was light as the cast chatted, laughed, and complimented each other’s hair and makeup. Past ensemble members returned to watch the final show, adding to the sense of community in the room. Before the curtains opened, the ensemble gathered for check-ins, the ring, and a warm-up. An ensemble member also led a moment of silence before the performance began.

After weeks of writing, rehearsing, blocking, and preparing, the ensemble finally took the stage for their first performance of their original works! The night was filled with anticipation. Ensemble members arrived early to prepare the stage, set up props, and get dressed before the show  The ensemble closed the curtains as guests poured in. Many in the audience knew the cast members, so there was plenty of excitement and anticipation as everyone waited for the show to begin. Before the performance, we did the usual check-ins, the ring, and a quick warm-up.

This session marked the ensemble’s final dress rehearsal before opening night. With the production nearly ready, the ensemble focused on running the show from beginning to end and practicing how to keep the performance moving when things do not go exactly as planned. After check-ins and the ring, the ensemble prepared for their final full run. The show ran much more smoothly than previous rehearsals, with fewer stops. Many of the moving pieces came together during this performance.

This session was the first dress rehearsal. The goal of the session was to complete a full run-through without stops.  Before the rehearsal began, the ensemble continued preparing the production, discussing sets, costumes, and props. The group discusses alternatives to missing set pieces and discuss how to finalize things with minimal rehearsal time.

This session was the last night of blocking before dress rehearsals begin. The ensemble continued to focus on staging while also readjusting casting, taking note of costumes and making the finale feel grand.  Before the blocking began, the group spent time discussing theatre, including favorite plays, playwrights, and copyright casting. They also discussed why the ensemble focuses on Shakespeare during the fall production.  One ensemble member shared her love of Shakespeare, saying,

This session was the second full day of blocking. As the ensemble works on staging their pieces, they worked together to work through challenges before the dress rehearsal.  After chatting, check-ins and the ring, the ensemble worked through entrances and movement for several shorter pieces. Two ensemble members playfully argued about the use of microphones. One participant encouraged a performer to use a microphone during her piece, but she insisted that she could project without it. But the participant emphasized how the microphone affects the energy of the piece:

As rehearsals for our summer performance continued, this session focused on shaping the overall flow of the production. Rather than working on individual pieces in isolation, the ensemble began making collaborative decisions about staging, transitions, and how the audience will experience the evening as a whole. It was another reminder that while each work began as a personal reflection, the performance itself belongs to the ensemble.

This session, the script was unveiled and the ensemble had their first full read-through of the summer. As the ensemble read through the show, they made final adjustments while celebrating one another’s creativity and hard work. After checking in and doing the ring exercise, the ensemble gathered to read through the complete production. The read-through was timed to give the group an idea of the length and pacing of the show.

This session focused on building connections and acting practice through play. With the ensemble’s writing edited and the show cast, the group took the time to strengthen relationships through stories, laughter and theater games.  The evening began with conversations about the origins of the ring exercise and theatre scholars. Conversations flowed between current events, evolving technology and everyday life.

This session focused on unifying individual pieces into one cohesive production. Together, the ensemble collaborated on casting and discussed the order of pieces.  The evening began with check-ins and the ring before the ensemble turned its attention to the production. After weeks of writing, revising and hearing each other’s work, participants worked together to cast each piece. Some actors were nominated by the writers, while others selected the pieces they were most excited to perform. The ensemble also discussed how to incorporate artist statements into the show.

As the summer writing project continued, our focus shifted from creating new material to refining the stories that will soon be shared with an audience. Editing is often thought of as correcting words on a page, but this session reminded us that it is equally about helping one another communicate truth with greater clarity. Our pieces have been submitted for approval to be brought outside, turned into a script, and given to the alumni for the public performance.

As our summer writing project continues to take shape, this week’s session centered on one of the most rewarding parts of the creative process: hearing one another’s words come to life. While we have spent weeks writing, revising, and reflecting, this evening gave writers the opportunity to hear their work interpreted by other voices, allowing the ensemble to experience each piece in a new way. Following check-ins and the ring, we shared a few pieces from outside writers before returning to our own growing collection of original work. As the evening unfolded, the room became filled with thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and genuine admiration for one another’s creativity.