Shakespeare in Prison. A Program of Detroit Public Theatre.

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Shakespeare in Prison. A Program of Detroit Public Theatre.

Shakespeare as a catalyst for empowerment—in prison and beyond.

06/17/2026

Just over two months until Shakespeare & Beyond.
This August, the voices of our Shakespeare in Prison ensemble will take center stage as SIP alumni perform original monologues written inside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility through our Shakespeare Reclaimed project.
Every piece is the result of weeks of writing, collaboration, and creative exploration. What begins as conversations and ideas inside the prison becomes a powerful public performance celebrating the artistry of our ensemble.
Join us as we share these original works with our community.
🎭 August 22 • 7:00 PM
🎭 August 23 • 2:00 PM
RSVP today and help us celebrate the incredible artists behind these stories.
🔗 https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

06/10/2026

"I'm so thankful I have this place for freedom every Tuesday and Thursday."
At Shakespeare in Prison, theatre becomes more than a rehearsal room. It becomes a space for creativity, connection, growth, and community.
Every week, our ensemble gathers to tell stories, challenge themselves, support one another, and create something meaningful together. This reflection from an ensemble member reminds us why this work matters: the opportunity to experience joy, artistic expression, and a sense of freedom through collective creation.
As we look ahead to a new season, we remain grateful to every ensemble member, facilitator, supporter, and audience member who helps make this space possible. ❤️🎭

06/03/2026

Have you RSVP'd for Shakespeare & Beyond?
This August, audiences will experience original monologues written by members of our ensemble inside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility and performed by SIP alumni as part of our Shakespeare Reclaimed project.
These stories explore resilience, hope, grief, love, selflessness, and life beyond the walls. Each piece represents a collaboration between artists inside and outside, creating a unique theatrical experience you won't find anywhere else.
📅 August 22 at 7 PM
📅 August 23 at 2 PM
📍 Detroit Public Theatre
RSVP today and join us in celebrating the voices, creativity, and artistry of our Shakespeare in Prison community.
🔗 RSVP: https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

05/27/2026

“Sometimes I’m like… I can’t believe I’m in prison, only up from here.”
May at Shakespeare in Prison was filled with momentum, honesty, and ensemble-driven collaboration as we moved closer to our June performances of The Comedy of Errors. Inside Women’s Huron Valley the ensemble worked through props, music, transitions, costumes, pacing, and full dress rehearsals while continuing to build a production rooted in collective storytelling and trust.
At the same time, the ensemble began shaping the future of Shakespeare & Beyond, discussing themes of grief, love, selflessness, freedom, and life beyond the walls. Conversations around authorship, collaboration, and what it means to have your voice heard became just as important as rehearsing the play itself.
This month reminded us that SIP is never only about performance. It is about creating space for people to lead, question, imagine, and support one another through the process. Every rehearsal carried resilience, humor, creativity, and care for one another as the ensemble prepared to meet the moment together.
We are entering the final stretch before performances on June 2 and 4, and the ensemble is ready. 🎭

05/26/2026

On Saturday, Director Sophia Esch joined Communities First, Inc. for a screening and post-screening panel for the movie "Sing Sing". This screening was part of the African American Film Series - Detroit Edition at the Charles H. Wright Museum. Sophia was honored to share information about SIP and share how the film’s themes connect to SIP's work around transformation and humanity. Thank you so much to Communities First, Inc. for having Sophia and sharing such a powerful film series!

05/20/2026

Through our Shakespeare Reclaimed project, SIP alumni will perform original monologues written by ensemble members inside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility at Detroit Public Theatre.
These performances are rooted in collaboration, storytelling, and the continued creative connection between our inside ensemble and alumni community.
Join us:
🎭 August 22 at 7 PM
🎭 August 23 at 2 PM
RSVP here:
https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

05/13/2026

“I like that we get to write our own pieces. There are no shows where we get to write.”
As our ensemble continues building The Comedy of Errors inside Women’s Huron Valley, we are also beginning conversations about this summer’s Shakespeare & Beyond writing project with both our current ensemble and SIP alumni. Together, we are imagining what this second year of the project can become, how original stories can continue to take shape, and how we can create even more space for collaboration, creativity, humor, and reflection.
Want to follow the process? Catch up on our latest SIP blog posts and behind-the-scenes reflections at https://www.detroitpublictheatre.org/blog

05/06/2026

Shakespeare & Beyond returns this summer through our Shakespeare Reclaimed program.
Join us for an evening of original performance as SIP alumni bring new monologues to life, written by our ensemble members inside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility. These pieces reflect voice, authorship, and continued creative connection across spaces.
Performances will take place at Detroit Public Theatre:
August 22 at 7:00 PM
August 23 at 2:00 PM
This work extends beyond the room. It builds a bridge between artists inside and outside, grounded in collaboration and shared storytelling.
Reserve your spot:
https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

04/29/2026

April at Shakespeare in Prison was about momentum. The ensemble spent the month sharpening The Comedy of Errors, making bold creative choices, and continuing to build toward our June performances. From staging discoveries and scene work to conversations about writing, collaboration, and this summer’s original project, the room was full of imagination and ownership.
This month reminded us that the work grows stronger through ensemble. As one note captured, “the show is finding its rhythm,” and we can feel that momentum building. We can’t wait for what’s ahead.

04/23/2026

Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare 🎭
For nearly 15 years, your words have been the foundation of our work - building community, sparking imagination, and reminding us of the power of storytelling across every space we enter. From first read-throughs to final bows, your plays continue to challenge, inspire, and connect us.
Today, we celebrate the legacy that started it all - and the countless voices that bring it to life every day.
All the world’s a stage… and we’re grateful to still be playing our part.

Address

684 W Baltimore, #201
Detroit, MI
48202

Website

http://www.detroitpublictheatre.org/shakespeareinprison/

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