Shakespeare in Prison. A Program of Detroit Public Theatre.

Home
United States
Detroit, MI
Shakespeare in Prison. A Program of Detroit Public Theatre.

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

09/04/2026

Shakespeare in Prison went international! 🌎🎭
Director of Shakespeare in Prison, Sophia Esch, recently presented virtually at the First International Forum of Abolitionist Theatre in São Paulo, Brazil, joining artists, practitioners, and scholars in an international conversation about theatre and abolition.
Sophia’s presentation, “Ensemble as Governance,” explored SIP’s ensemble practice as more than a method for creating theatre. Drawing from the 2025–2026 SIP season and the ensemble’s production of "The Comedy of Errors," the presentation examined how shared authority, collective decision-making, ritual, care, and joy can create a radically different social structure within a carceral institution.
For a few hours each week, our ensemble rehearses not only Shakespeare, but different ways of being together - rooted in care rather than punishment, collaboration rather than hierarchy, and collective responsibility rather than control.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share SIP’s work across borders and to be part of a growing international dialogue about abolitionist theatre. 💙

08/26/2026

What an incredible weekend of SIP & Beyond. ❤️
This year’s performances brought together Shakespeare in Prison alumni, facilitators, friends, families, community partners, and audience members to share two performances of original writing, storytelling, reflection, and connection.
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life: from the artists who shared their words and stories, to the team behind the scenes, to every person who joined us in the audience.
A special thank you to our incredible community partners, Unison Chamber Music Collective and Trauma Awareness Resilience and Restorative Pathways, for joining us throughout the weekend, sharing their work and resources with our audiences, and helping us create space for connection and conversation beyond the performance. We are so grateful to have organizations like these standing alongside SIP and our community.
As Shakespeare in Prison enters its 15th season, we’re carrying the energy, love, and community of SIP & Beyond forward with us. We are so excited for all that is still to come.

SIP & Beyond 2026
Director: Sophia Esch
Lighting Design: Owen Zabor
Sound Design: Jwymon Williams
Production Stage Manager: Angie Ayriss
📸 Photography courtesy of Chuk Nowak

08/20/2026

A look back at where we’ve been as we get ready to take the stage again. 🎭
Last summer, SIP & Beyond brought the original writing and voices of our Shakespeare in Prison community to the Detroit Public Theatre stage. This weekend, we return for the second year of this unique collaboration between our inside ensemble and SIP alumni.
Through our Shakespeare Reclaimed project, alumni will perform original work created by ensemble members inside Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, alongside work from alumni—bringing stories across the walls and into conversation with our community.
There’s still time to RSVP and join us THIS WEEKEND!
✨ Saturday, August 22 at 7 PM
✨ Sunday, August 23 at 2 PM
📍 Detroit Public Theatre
Come experience the work, hear these stories, and stay for a post-show conversation following each performance.
🔗 RSVP at the link: https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724
🎥 Video edited by Hudson Burkett

08/18/2026

This past Friday, members of the Shakespeare in Prison and Shakespeare Reclaimed team had the opportunity to share our work at the Reentry United Conference!
Our panel explored how arts-based programming can support reentry, with a focus on SIP & Beyond, our annual summer project that brings original writing created inside the prison to public audiences alongside original work from SIP alumni. We shared the nuts and bolts of the project, our alumni mentorship model, the process of moving writing from inside to outside, and practical strategies other organizations can use to build arts-based reentry programming rooted in relationships, accessibility, and directly impacted leadership.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share what we’ve learned, reflect on how this work continues to grow, and be in conversation with others committed to building stronger pathways for people returning home.
Pictured left to right: Kyle Fisher-Grant, SIP Facilitator & former Director of SIP; Jason Hunt, Shakespeare Reclaimed Member & SIP & Beyond Performer; Sam Aupperlee, SIP Facilitator & Co-Creator of SIP & Beyond; and Sophia Esch, Director of SIP & Co-Creator of SIP & Beyond.

08/12/2026

We’re proud to welcome Trauma-Aware Resilience & Restorative Pathways (TARRP) as a community partner for SIP & Beyond!
TARRP’s work is grounded in evidence-based practices and lived experience, with programming centered on restoration, resilience, family reunification, mental health, mentorship, and supporting people and communities impacted by incarceration.
Their commitment to creating pathways for growth, connection, and restoration makes them a powerful partner for a project that brings together the voices of currently and formerly incarcerated artists.
Representatives from TARRP will join us for post-show discussions following both performances, helping us continue the conversation beyond the stage. You can also visit their table in the lobby to learn more about their programs and work throughout our community.
🎭 SIP & Beyond
📅 August 22 at 7 PM
📅 August 23 at 2 PM
📍 Detroit Public Theatre
Join us for the performance—and stay for the conversation.
🔗 RSVP: https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

08/05/2026

We're excited to introduce our first community partner for SIP & Beyond: Unison Chamber Music Collective.
Unison Chamber Music Collective is reimagining where classical music is presented and who it is for. Through partnerships with shelters, recovery centers, correctional facilities, and other community organizations across Southeast Michigan, Unison creates community-centered performances that remove the traditional divide between stage and audience, inviting conversation, interaction, and connection through music. Alongside more than 50 community performances each year, Unison commissions new works by emerging composers and creates opportunities for musicians to engage meaningfully with the communities they serve, all grounded in the belief that music belongs everywhere, and to everyone.
We're grateful to have Unison Chamber Music Collective joining us for both performances of SIP & Beyond. Be sure to stop by their table in the lobby to learn more about their work, upcoming performances, and ways to get involved.
🎭 Shakespeare & Beyond
📅 August 22 • 7:00 PM
📅 August 23 • 2:00 PM
📍 Detroit Public Theatre
We hope you'll join us for an afternoon or evening celebrating art, community, and the power of creative connection.
🔗 RSVP: https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

07/29/2026

July at Shakespeare in prison was defined by collaboration, creativity and storytelling!
Over the past several weeks, the ensemble explored this summer’s theme of Love and Compassion through original writing. Participants shared deeply personal stories of grief, forgiveness, healing and family. As more members shared their writing, the ensemble celebrated and supported each other's creativity.
As the month progressed, individual pieces began to form a collective production. Together, the ensemble revised pieces, offered thoughtful feedback, cast the show, and began thinking about how each piece fits within the larger performance. Throughout the month, the ensemble also found time for laughter, music and shared moments of joy!
The ensemble has created a space for stories to be heard and valued. This month was a reminder that storytelling is not only a way to tell your own story, but also a way to connect with others.
Check out our blog for the full details of what July brought the ensemble!
https://detroitpublictheatre.org/sip-blog/

07/22/2026

This summer, the ensemble inside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility have been working together to write original creative works. Next month, the SIP alumni will perform these pieces at Detroit Public Theatre

Please join us to celebrate the amazing writers and talented performers this August.

Dates:

August 22 @ 7:00 PM
August 23 @ 2:00 PM

RSVP Here: https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

07/15/2026

“...we choose who we give love and time to. We pick our family here.”
Shakespeare in Prison’s summer project is not only about creating a performance, but also creating a connection. Throughout the summer, the ensemble has explored love and compassion through writing. As they continue to tell stories and move closer to the performance, creativity strengthens connections, shared stories bring women together, and the ensemble continues to support one another every step of the way.

07/09/2026

Next month, the SIP alumni will perform original works written by the ensemble inside Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

These incredible pieces are shaped by their experiences, imagination, and a commitment to the creative process.

Join us for these amazing performances at the Detroit Public Theatre:

August 22 • 7:00 PM
August 23 • 2:00 PM

RSVP here: https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/41064724

Address

684 W Baltimore, #201
Detroit, MI
48202

Website

https://detroitpublictheatre.org/shakespeare-in-prison/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shakespeare in Prison. A Program of Detroit Public Theatre. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in Detroit?