Written Pieces
A MAJOR EVENT IN AUBURN PRISON: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH A PHOENIX PLAYER
By Adam Roberts
In this essay, Adam describes the evening of PPTG’s most recent performance and the emotions he experienced.
J.R.’S POEM FOR HIS LADY
By Jim Ryant
Jim Ryant (aka J.R.) wrote this poem for his Lady who is having a particularly difficult time at the moment.
Attica on My Mind
By Michael Rhynes
Michael Rhynes came to Auburn Correctional Facility from Attica. Since he has now been returned to Attica we thought it appropriate to post this short piece Michael wrote about Attica.
The Power of Redemption: Implications of Self-Created Rehabilitation in U.S. Prisons
By Sandra Oyeneyin
Sandra Oyeneyin began working with the Phoenix Players in the late Fall of 2013. She assisted and observed the workshops and wrote and acted in the Players’ third presentation, An Indeterminate Life presented in May of 2014. These two chapters from her undergraduate honors thesis respond to the time she spent at Auburn with PPTG.
REALIZING PERCEPTION: A REFLECTION OF PPTG WORKS AND PERFORMANCES
By Joshua Mensa
This essay is a reflection on Joshua’s work and performances with PPTG and how he experienced them.
The Change
By Adam Roberts
In this short scene, Adam explores the relationship between an inmate and his tube of toothpaste. It’s deeper subject is vagaries of the prison commissary and the loneliness of incarceration.
Reflections on Macbeth
By Sheldon Johnson
Before coming to Auburn and joining PPTG, Sheldon Johnson played the role of Macbeth in the Shakespeare tragedy at Great Meadow Correctional Facility. The production was under the auspices of “Shakespeare Under Lock and Key” and produced by the incarcerated men.
“Shakespeare Under Lock and Key” was founded by Gary Meitrott, who was inspired by the film “Shakespeare Behind Bars,” documenting Curt Tofteland’s fourteen year of work with the men incarcerated at the Luther Luckett Correctional Facility Complex in LaGrange Kentucky.
A Night to Remember
By Michael Rhynes
Michael Rhynes wrote this piece after PPTG’s first presentation, Inside/Out in 2011. It expresses the joy and transformation he felt after the first time her performed on a stage in front of and audience.
Colors
Sheldon Johnson
In this poem, Sheldon “Superb” Johnson contemplates a panoply of injustices seen through his “colorful” lens.
“To be a criminal is a disgrace - to remain a criminal is disgraceful.” -Malcom X
By Sheldon Johnson
In this powerful essay, Sheldon lays himself bare to offer the readers his “autobiography.” It is a raw piece of writing–as moving as it is chilling.
Out… Out Brief Candle
By Sheldon Johnson
Before coming to Auburn and joining PPTG, Sheldon Johnson played the role of Macbeth in the Shakespeare tragedy at Great Meadow Correctional Facility. The production was under the auspices of “Shakespeare Under Lock and Key” and produced by the incarcerated men.
“Shakespeare Under Lock and Key” was founded by Gary Meitrott, who was inspired by the film “Shakespeare Behind Bars,” documenting Curt Tofteland’s fourteen year of work with the men incarcerated at the Luther Luckett Correctional Facility Complex in LaGrange Kentucky.
ACTING THE CHANGE: PRACTITIONER PROFILES OF THEATER AS ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
By Christian Turner
This thesis captures the stories of people who are doing both traditional and nontraditional forms of community organizing in Upstate New York and explores common themes across their different community engagement approaches . . . As I will show, many types of people deeply involved in community change are not considered community organizers.