How the process works.

How the Process Works.

The process is simple. And the results are powerful.

After a teacher signs up, we match that class with another one – usually a class with a different demographic. Partnering urban/rural , rich/poor, even US/international, gives students a chance to speak with others they might not normally meet, expanding our sense of community and embracing all people.

Each class watches our film “Time Out of Joint: Prison Reflections on Shakespeare”, in which the audience is given the opportunity to observe a prison classroom. 16 prisoners discuss Shakespeare and draw connections between the characters’ actions and their own lives.

After each class has watched the film, we set up a joint Zoom workshop and bring both classrooms together (virtually). The two classes get the chance to discuss things under the leadership of at least one of the former prisoners seen in the film -and others from our educational team.

The topics include Shakespeare (of course), and human issues including loyalty, betrayal, power, manhood, misogyny, war, crime, family, and (of course) love. Conversations also often turn to issues of prison education, systemic racism, mass incarceration, and prison reform.

Specific topics are often determined by teachers of both classes ahead of the workshops.

And teachers can decide if they want to have 1, 2, or 3 joint meetings.

follow-up

Students are asked to write short reflection papers after the workshops. We love to read these and they help us improve future gatherings. And the classes can exchange these papers if they choose. Naturally, we encourage this cross-over learning.