[NEohioPAL] UA theatre lecture examining impact of Shakespeare prison program

[Sapienza,Neil B]

UA theatre lecture examining impact of Shakespeare prison program

Curt Tofteland, founder and artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Shakespeare Behind Bars program, will speak Wednesday, April 22, for the Paul A. Daum Lecture Series in Theatre at The University of Akron.

His topic is "Behind Bard-Wire: Reflection, Responsibility, Forgiveness, and Redemption...The Transformative Power of Art, Theatre, and Shakespeare."

The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Room 194 of Guzzetta Hall, 139 E. Buchtel Ave. on The University of Akron campus. A reception with Tofteland begins at 6:30 p.m. A screening of an award-winning documentary about Shakespeare Behind Bars begins at 8 p.m. All are free and open to the public.

Shakespeare Behind Bars has enabled convicted abusers, armed robbers and murderers imprisoned at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky, to produce and perform more than a dozen plays by William Shakespeare since 1995. According to Tofteland, 35 inmates who participated in the program have since been released with no recidivism.

"Shakespeare Behind Bars has the power to change an inmate's life through a journey of understanding and accountability for past actions and present and future behaviors," says Tofteland. "This approach encourages the development of the interpersonal life skills that will contribute to the inmate's successful reintegration into society."

The documentary premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and has won 10 awards. By chronicling the casting, rehearsals, and performances of "The Tempest," the documentary shatters preconceptions about criminals and prisoners.

Tofteland was the producing artistic director of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival from 1989 until last year. His 30 years in professional theater include experience as an Equity actor, director, playwright, arts educator, and teacher. He was a founding member of the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America and served as its president.

For more information call 330-972-7890 or visit www.uakron.edu/dtaa <http://www.uakron.edu/dtaa> .
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