The longest-running prison theatre program is returning to the stage for its 58th production.
Oct. 5 brings The Crossroads: A Prison Cabaret to William Head Institution for a fantastical performance underneath the roots of a giant tree. Set in an underground world where societyB次元官网网址檚 rejects were buried at crossroads, the supernatural characters host a cabaret and struggle to reconnect with the larger society.
B次元官网网址淲e built this satirical look at some interesting themes that are part of the human condition, but also are very relevant to their world which is about isolation and intolerance and a sense of needing to work to find your identity in the world,B次元官网网址� director Kate Rubin said.
B次元官网网址淚t also is relevant to people who are incarcerated in the sense of being on the outside. ThereB次元官网网址檚 definitely a link there, but itB次元官网网址檚 also a larger commentary on what we do as humans when we canB次元官网网址檛 tolerate someoneB次元官网网址檚 ideas.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 the fourth production directed at the prison by Rubin, an award-winning director hailing from SNAFU and Prison Arts Collective. SheB次元官网网址檚 helped the men develop their ideas, write the musical and bring it to life for nearly three months.
B次元官网网址淲hat we have found, and is true everywhere, is innately in anyone there are incredible talents, B次元官网网址� Rubin said.
READ MORE: William Head on Stage returns in Metchosin
Out of the 200 men incarcerated at William Head, Rubin said a quarter of their population is involved, from greeting the audience to the sewing team to building and painting the set. For the inmates, the show is an opportunity to hone their talents to express themselves.
B次元官网网址淲ithin a prison environment it isnB次元官网网址檛 the norm to work in a collective way, so this is an unusual and unique way to do that,B次元官网网址� Rubin said.
Most of the men in William Head are in the last stages of their sentence, and Rubin hopes working on the show will help them transition and get back in touch with the outside world. A question and answer period will be held at the end of each performance.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a rehabilitative thing thatB次元官网网址檚 inherently there with the chance to work creatively,B次元官网网址� Rubin said.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Ticket Rocket Box Office or at . Audience members need to be 19 years or older and carry government-issued ID, but no other personal items with the exception of life-saving medicines. Once at William Head Institution, audience members will be scanned and sniffed by a trained dog. The Crossroads will be performed Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and Nov. 1, 2 and 3 with a matinee.
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