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.

This session marked an exciting milestone for the summer ensemble. As the halfway point approaches, the ensemble has generated a well-rounded collection of original work. This session shifted their focus from creating new pieces to revising, drafting artists’ statements, and discussing final show logistics. The evening began with check-ins, the ring, and conversations about the upcoming schedule. During the session, the group turned in finalized writing for facilitators to count and copy.

This session focused on sharing writing, offering feedback, and continuing to draft pieces for this summer’s production. With a growing collection of original work, this week’s readings highlighted the ensemble’s creativity and collaborative spirit. Before the session began, conversations centered on the recent storm, power outages, and anticipation surrounding new policies. After gathering for check-ins and the ring, the ensemble turned to sharing their pieces.

This session focused on sharing new writing while further exploring what love means and how compassion is formed. As ensemble members reflected on grief and identity, they also made space for collaboration and joy. Before the session officially began, conversations were lively. Ensemble members discussed the summer heat and the long walks to the session. They also discussed life in the facility, mental and physical health, and the importance of keeping an open mind towards others.  During check-in, the ensemble also learned that another woman in the facility had passed away, shifting the conversation to navigating difficult emotions during the writing process. One participant reflected, “You can’t have compassion without knowing pain.” A facilitator added, “You can’t have grief without knowing love.”

Despite the sweltering weather, this was a productive and thoughtful session focusing on the creative process and new drafts for the show.  As participants gathered, conversations centered around the extreme summer heat, illness, healthcare, and store markups. In this session, the ensemble revisited the conflict from the last session. One participant reflected on the disagreement, expressing that she felt attacked for sharing her opinion. She apologized for walking away from the discussion and affirmed that she wanted to remain part of the ensemble. Other ensemble members offered their support, sparking a conversation about how meaningful art invites differing perspectives and the importance of critique during the creative process.

This session focused on digging deeper into how to convey the theme of love and compassion. Participants shared personal experiences and reflected on family and grief. The ensemble also collaborated on feedback and worked through differing perspectives.  As facilitators and ensemble members gathered, conversations centered on family and mental health. One participant reflected on the challenges of navigating life inside, “You gotta have a poker face – especially in here.”

This session centered on finalizing the theme for the summer production. The evening was filled with reflection, creativity, and excitement as participants continued shaping what this year’s show will become. Before beginning, the ensemble checked in about recent illnesses, discussed the arrival of a new warden, and caught up on the absence of a facilitator and another ensemble member. After opening with the ring and a name game, the ensemble welcomed a new facilitator, who introduced herself to the group.

This session had an exciting buzz as ensemble members shared their first writing drafts of the summer and generated more ideas for a show theme. The workbooks for the session were also unveiled.  The ensemble welcomed a new member who expressed excitement about acting and her love of Shakespeare. She admitted to feeling apprehensive about writing, and the other ensemble members encouraged her to participate in whatever way feels comfortable.