December 2019
As 2019 winds to a close, TAO is taking the opportunity to reflect on the growth and development of our programs as we prepare for another exciting year of theatre.
The Actors and Playwrights program at Garner CI closed out the year with a performance for the record books. The original plays and poetry were produced at the facility for large and enthusiastic audiences. The caliber of the writing was remarkable. The sophisticated character development and exquisite storytelling of each of the pieces took these plays to a whole new level.
Performances were skilled and committed. Portraying a broad range of hilarious comedy to serious, thought provoking drama, all was flawlessly delivered to well-deserved rousing applause.
The positive messaging in the work is deeply reflective of the responsibility the writers and performers feel toward the class and the opportunities it provides for self-expression.
As we begin classes in January we look to continue to hone these pieces as well as add some newer work for the May 2020 show.
The Actors and Playwrights program set up shop at Osborn CI this fall and have been met with a wealth of positive energy and determination. Chris Bird and I teach both playwriting and acting technique to an incredibly responsible group of men who clearly love this art form. Work just now is shifting from technique to preparing for a performance in the late spring. Ideas are being floated to decide what the show will look and sound like. Music, dance, and lots of dialogue are all options on the table. We are thrilled at the possibility of including these elements in the production. Stay tuned!
The InsideOut Youth theater group had a fun filled fall session with a small all girls group. They each wrote and performed in each other’s plays, along with some theater games and writing prompts. There is nothing more fun than creating that thing we call a play. This group dove right in with themes of community and friendship in the animal kingdom.
We also discovered we all share a love of reading and undertook to read Carl Hiaasen’s book Hoot together and talk about it when we get back together after the holidays. We will continue to put our efforts towards creating a new piece, based on the work done in the fall, in preparation for a spring performance. We are grateful for the commitment of the students and their parents.
Looking ahead, two more Actors and Playwrights programs are being prepared for other Correctional facilities. TAO is also bringing creative writing programs to several locations in the spring of 2020.
TAO would like to take this opportunity, at the close of what has been a very big year, to express our gratitude to our very generous donors for their continued support and faith in the work we do. It would not be possible with you! Thank you.
We wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.