INCARCERATED YOUTH AT PLAY

The program has three distinct components: 

-Youth Residencies in lock-up and treatment facilities

-Shakespeare on the Out probation/transition program at the Cloud Foundation

-DYS Teacher training/co-teaching within DYS 

Each component runs 4-12 weeks, with a goal of extending and deepening all residencies over time.  Typically, ASP programs meet 2-3 times/week for 2-3 hours each session, as youth participate in a process involving Ensemble Development, Casting & Character Development, and Performance & Talkbacks.  The projects are directed by ASP's Lori Taylor, with lead teachers Jennie Israel, Marya Lowry, Robert Walsh, and Sarah Hickler, as well as guest artist participation from other ASP company members.   

Each project involves an ensemble that includes both girls and their teachers and facility staff, culminates in a performance event which the young people are responsible for helping to design, and in which each shares individual goals and responsibilities.  They are expected to be a participating part of the ensemble and to work together over time.  Each helps define her or his own role within the ensemble (one might choose to create the programs, another design the sound, another to stage manage, and all participate in some way in the final performance, most as performers).  All youth work to develop needed artistic, social, pre-professional, and literacy skills throughout the program.  Young people also participate in evaluation of the program and their own work throughout the project. 

The performances are an opportunity for parents, other youth in the system, staff, actors, supporters of ASP, and other guests to come together in a room, share a celebration of the accomplishments of the youth and the artwork they have created.  Following each performance, there is a reception where all these parties talk and reflect together.  ASP has created documentation of the programs through photos, audio pieces, video, and student work, and these have been shared with arts organizations and supporters across the state.