October 2019

It’s showtime again!  The Actors and Playwrights program at Garner CI has written and developed a new and impressive body of work to present for the December 2019 performance.  As the plays evolved, a very apparent theme developed, one of working towards your best.  “Good, Better, Best” speaks to the content and messaging of the individual short plays as well as the program as a whole.

Most who come to the classes are initially inexperienced in the world of theater. With enthusiasm and tenacity, the skills of writing and performing for the stage are learned and exercised.  It is incredibly rewarding for writers to see their works come alive and for actors to expertly make that happen.  The December production is specifically designed for performance within the facility.  It provides an entertaining and thought-provoking outlet during a sensitive time of year. The students in the class selflessly and happily put this together for others to enjoy.

On November 4, 2019, a new program will begin at Osborn CI in Enfield, CT.  The format will closely resemble that which has been ongoing at Garner.  Original works will be created and performed for live audiences.  The opportunity to incorporate music and sound systems is exciting in that they will enhance the production possibilities. The TAO team is very much looking forward to this wonderful new opportunity.

The InsideOut Youth Theater Group begins classes on November 5, 2019.  Again, in grateful partnership with The Center for Family Justice and CHAMP, we have a class of enthusiastic students who will be creating their own performance pieces and learning about how much team work, commitment and fun is involved in the process of putting on a show.  We are excited to be working with such a wonderful group of young thespians!

Many other projects are in the development stage and we continue to work towards making them a reality.  TAO operates with the certainty that arts have the power to change lives.

August 2019

As this busy summer winds down, a brief break is taken to gear up for the next round of programs and classes.

The InsideOut Youth Theater group completed its summer play writing program. On the last day of classes, seven young playwrights had their work read by actors at a staged reading. Family and friends attended and celebrated their achievements. It was exciting to watch the students grasp the essential elements of structure and character development as they honed their creative story telling skills. The plays ranged from contemporary dramatic work dealing with issues such as cyber bullying and negotiating conflict, to fairy tales and historical works. Much of the writing itself was done between classes and the students worked hard to finish their plays. They should be proud of their new skills and accomplishments!

The InsideOut program begins again, with new work to perform, on September 16, 2019. We are excited to see everyone, as well as meet new members, in the fall!

The Actors and Playwrights program completed a summer of classes during which they cultivated acting and writing skills as work was being developed for future performances. It is thrilling to watch new and returning group participants dive into the art of playwriting with such enthusiasm and creativity. The plays promise to be entertaining, insightful and visionary.

The TAO Foundation is in discussions with counselors from other facilities in Connecticut, making plans to bring theatre programs to their populations. We will keep you posted on all upcoming programs and events! Stay in touch, and please help us continue to provide these vital opportunities. We are grateful for your support!

June 2019 Blog Post

Welcome to the brand-new TAO website!

We have been busy with plans and programs.

The Spring productions for both the Actors and Playwrights program and the InsideOut Youth Theater Group were performed in May and June.

The Actors and Playwrights put on four performances at Garner CI, which were fully attended and received excellent reviews.  The theme “Perception” was addressed and resonated throughout the show. How people perceive of others, without knowing them, was messaged in the original plays, poetry and spoken word pieces.  The pieces were funny, poignant and powerful, culminating in an original poem entitled “What Do You See?”, each cast member was called upon to define themselves in a word, defying commonly held stereotypes. The power of live theater to open minds and change them was on full display.

The summer session at A&P has already begun as we start the process of creating work for the new semester and add to our toolkits of both writing and acting technique.

Left to Right: Harry Bell of Color A Positive Thought, Elizabeth Young of TAO, Reuel Parks of Champ Mentoring, & Kenneth Anderson, Board Member of TAO

In partnership with the Center for Family Justice, CHAMP and Color a Positive Thought, InsideOut Youth Theatre Productions delivered a romping revue for the end of it’s Spring 2019 session. Hosted by The Brookfield Theater for the Arts, fourteen cast members took to the stage on a Sunday in June.   Some of the original plays were developed from the Color a Positive Thought coloring book by Harry Bell.  Members of the Actors and Playwrights program then wrote skits which endorsed the constructive messaging.  Another play, “Every Little Bit Counts” followed the journey of a quarter and described how it was put to good use by each of cast member. Lots of music and dancing was also involved!

The afternoon was rounded out by a party featuring of cake, ice cream and talk of the next session, which begins on July 9 and is focused on playwriting. Students will learn the structure and art of writing for the theater.  Actors will read the work at a staged reading.  We are excited to hear what they have to say!

January 2019 Blog Post

It’s showtime again! The slate of plays and poems to be performed by the Garner Players for the second annual December Production is complete and rehearsals are well underway!

The performances will feature serious, reflective and creative work by some senior class members as
well as very entertaining and comedic holiday fun. The productions will be attended by other inmates of Garner CI, on December 4 and 5th .

 The Garner Players continually develops opportunities for actors, playwrights and poets to create and
perform. There are also increasing opportunities for learning other essential theater roles, such as tech and stage managing. The use of sound effects, props and movable sets has continued to enhance our productions. Costumes have become an integral part of the performance and the role of costumer is also vital to the quality of our productions. There is ample opportunity in the program for students to learn the importance of these jobs and how to implement them so the show runs seamlessly. It is a team effort as we look forward to another great show!

 TAO is in the process of partnering with The Center for Family Justice, as well as CHAMP, both
foundations in Bridgeport, CT which support local youth. In this new partnership, TAO will be teaching theater and developing performance opportunities for the students. For some it will be their first experience in theater, for others, they will have performed for TAO’s Inside Out Youth Theatre
previously and are excited to be starting another season. The Garner Players continue to prepare material which entertains as it mentors these young thespians.

 Debut performances for this new group are tentatively scheduled at The Brookfield Theater for the Arts in June of 2019. Keep an eye on our calendar as it fills in with upcoming events.

 TAO continues to work to provide opportunities through the arts for communities in the area which
would otherwise be without. We believe in the power of the arts to change lives for the better.

October Blog Post

It’s showtime again! The slate of plays and poems to be performed by the Garner Players for the second annual December Production is complete and rehearsals are well underway!

The performances will feature serious, reflective and creative work by some senior class members as
well as very entertaining and comedic holiday fun. The productions will be attended by other inmates of Garner CI, on December 4 and 5th .

 The Garner Players continually develops opportunities for actors, playwrights and poets to create and
perform. There are also increasing opportunities for learning other essential theater roles, such as tech and stage managing. The use of sound effects, props and movable sets has continued to enhance our productions. Costumes have become an integral part of the performance and the role of costumer is also vital to the quality of our productions. There is ample opportunity in the program for students to learn the importance of these jobs and how to implement them so the show runs seamlessly. It is a team effort as we look forward to another great show!

 TAO is in the process of partnering with The Center for Family Justice, as well as CHAMP, both
foundations in Bridgeport, CT which support local youth. In this new partnership, TAO will be teaching theater and developing performance opportunities for the students. For some it will be their first experience in theater, for others, they will have performed for TAO’s Inside Out Youth Theatre
previously and are excited to be starting another season. The Garner Players continue to prepare material which entertains as it mentors these young thespians.

Debut performances for this new group are tentatively scheduled at The Brookfield Theater for the Arts in June of 2019. Keep an eye on our calendar as it fills in with upcoming events.

TAO continues to work to provide opportunities through the arts for communities in the area which
would otherwise be without. We believe in the power of the arts to change lives for the better.

August Blog Post

The days of summer have been busy for The Garner Players.  Classes are being held twice a week for a current count of 21 Players. With an eye to the December productions, evening classes are devoted to writing plays and spoken word pieces which can be worked into the program.  These classes focus on technique and energetic writing, by which we mean simply  getting words on paper which are frequently revisited for rewriting and edited.  The classroom provides a precious opportunity for writers to hear their work.  This is an asset to the creation of any written work. Students provide valuable talent and feedback in this process as well as enhance the atmosphere of cooperation.

Afternoon classes are spent on acting technique to further elevate the production value.  Elocution, projection, character development through scene study and movement are all part of a great performance.  Actor Christopher Bird has stepped in as a volunteer to guide students through the process of honing their skills on stage.

The program planned for MYI has been delayed due to low student turnout.  We will post sign ups again in the fall.  The program at McDougall Correctional Institution has been delayed as volunteers are recruited.

Plans to  start up the youth theater program are moving along as we secure space for rehearsals and a potential partnership.  We continue to move forward.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and thank you for visiting our site to check in.  We appreciate your support!

June Blog Post

The annual May performances at Garner Correctional raised the bar once again.  The Garner Players performed in outstanding fashion as they read their original poetry and spoken word pieces as well as five fresh new plays which ranged from broad comedy to serious drama. Subjects such as civil rights were addressed in a play featuring a fictional conversation between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X written by James.  James and co-playwright Michael demonstrated their range by also writing and performing in a highly comedic piece dealing with societal stereotypes which all audiences loved. New Garner player, John, wrote a heartfelt play about a painful life lesson among two best friends and Jamal's play dealt with issues surrounding recidivism in a genuine meeting of two minds.  Rounding out the plays was a short piece pulled together from a full-length play written by Abdullah which follows a young man on a journey which leads him to a place of maturity in which he develops the capacity to help others.

This year's production ran for four nights and included performances for other inmates, family members, and invited guests.  Each and every audience member came away moved by what they saw and learned.  Through these productions, particularly for invited guests, the humanity of the inmates is apparent and thriving which goes a long way towards changing the public perception of the prisoner.  

On June 16, 2018, The Brookfield Theater of the Arts hosted a film premiere of a documentary entitled "Why They Kill" written, produced and directed by Guissepe Fazari.  The evening was organized by Beth Young, who arranged for a poetry reading of work by the Garner Players which offered a stark contrast to the brutality of the film while providing a fuller rendering of the people who commit crimes. TAO is truly grateful to TBTA's Lou and Andy Okell for donating their space, time and effort to this event. Without the support of our local theaters, we would not have the opportunity to continue to spread the word.

As the warmth of the summer is upon us, the Garner Players will be spending time writing and studying acting technique by way of scene study and exercises.  Summer classes will be taught by Beth Young and newcomer, Christopher Bird, who brings a wealth of theater education and experience to impart.

A new round of classes will begin at MYI on July 9, 2018, which will be taught by Beth Young and Tony Enright and classes at MacDougall are in preparation to be supervised by Mark Aldrich.
Looks to be a busy and productive summer.

May Blog Post

On April 29th TAO sponsored a youth theater production at The Little Theater in Newtown.  It was an overwhelming success!! The theater was packed with people and excitement.  Elizabeth Young and Kenneth Anderson directed the theater students from the Inside Out Youth Theater mentoring project.  Plays were written by members of the Garner Players and performed by young actors who added work of their own to the production.  It was quite an event.  TAO invited Creative Youth Productions of Bridgeport to participate in the show and they really brought their game, performing a portion of their larger production which can be seen in Bridgeport on May 24, 2018, at the Downtown Cabaret.  CYP is directed by Donna Sue Deguzman, who brings decades of experience and enthusiasm for her work with Bridgeport youth. More collaborations are planned for the future.

 May is performance month at Garner and we have four performances scheduled.  Every single member of the Garner Players is involved in the production, as actors, writers, tech and stage managers.  An exceptional collection of plays, poetry and spoken work has been prepared for this performance which once again is raising the bar. Family, friends, staff and invited guests are all looking forward to experiencing this event.

Additional programs are in the proposal process as TAO continues its efforts  to expand opportunities in the DOC system.

April Blog Post

Theatre Arts & Opportunities has been busy both with The Garner Players and in the community.

 The annual Garner Players May Production is well into rehearsals. It features four short plays, several
poems and spoken word pieces as well as a couple of movement elements. Lines are being learned and blocking set. It is hectic, exciting and looks to be another moving, powerful and entertaining
performance.

 TAO staged a reading in February in Bridgeport of one of the Garner Players most often performed
plays, Crossed Swords, which features historical characters from the Civil Rights Movement. Much of
the play is written in rap and in the hands of a very talented cast, featuring Kevin Harris, Randell Moody,
Ken Anderson, Steffon Sampson and Rob Frangione, audiences love it. This play was written by six
members of the Garner Players, who collaborated beautifully to bring it to life.

 Along with Crossed Swords, the actors performed a new piece, Martin and Malcolm, which dramatizes a
dialogue between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. The play was really well received and is being
considered for a film version by Hartford filmmaker, JV Harvey.

 On April 29, 2018 the TAO Mentoring from the Inside Out program is performing works written by the
Garner Players for the first time at The Little Theater in Newtown, CT. The members of the group, all
Middle and High School students have written spoken word pieces which will be shared along with
several plays by the Garner Players. This performance is in collaboration with Creative Youth
Productions, another youth theater group out of Bridgeport. CYP performs work written and directed
by its members, this particular show speaks to the importance of the arts in educations. Both groups
hope to coordinate their programs as they share a philosophy of the power of the arts to promote
positive growth and development.

February Blog Post

The goals of TAO continue to be met and exceeded. We are very excited about the opportunities which continue to unfold.

On February 1, 2018 Mark Aldrich and I met with the Chair of the Drama Department at Quinnipiac University to begin laying the plans for a performance of Garner work on their stage.  An actual date has not been selected yet but it will be posted here and on our calendar when it is set. TAO continues to seek venues to showcase the amazing talent and skill of the men who create this work.  

We are excited about the robust response to our Mentoring from the Inside Out program. Several members of the Garner Players have been busy writing plays, poems and spoken word pieces for a youth theatre group in Bridgeport, CT.  The plays deal with themes and issues young people encounter on a regular basis.  In their mentoring capacity, the playwrights deal with these situations in positive and productive ways.  The playwrights are inspired by the opportunity to connect with today's youth in order to help guide them towards a fulfilling future. The first scheduled performance for this group of young performers is projected for 4/29, at 2PM at The Little Theater in Newtown.

The beginning of the theater class at Manson Youth Institute has been delayed.  We have two superb volunteer teachers ready and excited to begin working with these young men.  Students we have met so far are eager to start classes in preparation for performances.  We anticipate the classes will commence in March 2018.  

Mark and I will begin arrangements for Playwrights and Actors classes at Cheshire Correctional Institute later in the spring.

TAO is also in the early stages of forming a theater organization for returning citizens.  We believe that  offering the opportunity to be involved in a creative and rewarding group activity immediately upon release provides a sense of purpose, fulfillment and commitment which strengthens social bonds and industrial skills. We look forward to developing and building this company.

We appreciate the support of the DOC Commissioner, Scott Semple as well as the men and women who work in the institutions.  Without their assistance we could not do what we do!

Happy 2018

So far, it has been a busy year. A new theater class has begun at Manson Youth Institute in Cheshire, CT. An enthusiastic group of hopeful thespians came to orientation on 1/8. The structure of the class and its goals were described for the students and they are looking forward to the prospect of learning to perform and the opportunity to show off their new skills at the conclusion of the 12 week semester.

 It was inspiring, and fun, to watch them listen, learn and laugh as we moved through the guidelines, expectations and activities they will be learning. The essence of acting is listening, an exercise crucial to developing technique, as are collaboration and courtesy. These life skills will translate into educated, confident and poised performers and citizens. 

 The Garner Players have been on a class break yet busily writing for the Mentoring from the Inside Out program.  Many inmates are involved in creating plays, performance pieces and poetry for younger performers in the community. These pieces are specifically geared towards steering young men and women to healthy relationships, courtesy and productive lifestyles. These pieces are not without humor as well as profound examples of the results of positive actions and words. This should be fun and rewarding for both parties. I am always reminded that they are called “plays” for a reason.

 Stay tuned as classes get going and theatre is created!

 - Elizabeth Young, TAO Founder & President 

Arts Have the Power to Change Lives

Welcome to the TAO Blog. The Garner Players are just wrapping up our first, and what we hope to be annual, December Production. A one hour presentation of three original plays and four powerful poems were performed for the inmates at Garner Correctional Institution.  The pieces were funny, charming and had a message of transformation.  One of the  plays, performed as a puppet show,was a comedy take on Rudolph and his very red nose, who was featured as a pitbull in a dog shelter.  He saves the other dogs from a fire and warms the heart of the formerly hard hearted manager of the shelter, earning a rousing rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Pitbull. Playing roles ranging from an estranged Grandpa, who finds his way back to the family fold to an angry, neglected child who is visited by three dream spirits who help to place him on a positive path, the actors all excelled in their parts. It was inspiring to see them grow as collaborators, listeners and creators.

Another remarkable experience in this production was the development of solid theater tech skills.  With diligence and planning the stage hands worked through quick and precise set changes seamlessly.  They practiced to the point the changes appeared choreographed.  Our sound tech, with no prior experience in this capacity, studied and carefully focused to create magic with the sound effects.

The Garner Players will be taking a short, well deserved, break and start up classes again in mid-January.  Prior to creating new work for our May production at Garner, the students will be working on plays, poems and spoken word for our Mentoring From the Inside Out program. We will be coordinating with youth theatre programs, providing performance material from the Garner Players to these young thespians for their productions. Stay tuned, production of this work  is planned for early Spring, 2018.

Under the auspices of TAO the Manson Youth Institute is scheduled to begin theatre classes on January 15, 2018. Sixteen students have signed up to participate.  TAO, is pleased to have recruited very qualified volunteers to conduct these classes. We look forward to participating in and supporting this work.

We continue to seek ways to introduce, incorporate  and develop creative theatre opportunities with the goal of providing a voice, place and purpose for those who would otherwise be without. We are grateful for the support of the administration and community which allows us to provide and expand these programs.