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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.