ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Fans of live theatre will have a unique opportunity this week to see a pair of brand new plays, written by former incarcerated persons.
The program is part of Prison Performing Arts, founded in 1999, for youth and adults in Missouri's criminal justice system.
"A lot of folks would maybe best know us for the work we do in prisons," said Rachel Tibbetts, Artistic Director, Prison Performing Arts on KMOX News "We were actually on "This American Life" many years ago and a lot of people learned about our work through that, but I think a lot of people probably know less about the work we do with young people and our alumni theatre company."
Tibbets says they work with youths as young as 12-year-olds and they have participants right now that are as old as 80-years-old.
"We really try to use the arts as a vehicle to teach really important life skills," said Tibbetts. "Also, there is a lot of literacy that is involved with producing and performing in a play. We're looking at things like focus, concentration and responsibility, collaboration, teamwork. You have to really be able to work with other people to put a play together and we really feel those skills are useful for folks when they are returning home."
This week, performance arts theatre fans can head on over to Greenfinch Theater & Dive, 2525 South Jefferson Ave to watch two plays "Go Before I Do" written by Hazel McIntire and "Don't be a Hero, Thank You" written by Katie Leemon.
"(Go Before I Do) is a really lovely heartfelt piece about a dad and a daughter who are kind of at a crossroads in their life and a bartender comes in and helps them put perspective that helps them resolve some issues they are having" said Tibbetts. "It's been produced before, but this time, it's being produced by Prison Performing Arts and Hazel worked with our script consultant to edit the script and bring it to life for this production."
"(Don't be a Hero, Thank You) is autobiographical. It's a lot of stories based on Katie's own personal experiences.....and it's a really beautiful piece about being contemporary woman returning home from prison and kind of all the trials, tribulations and laughter that goes along with that."
The plays will take place beginning Thursday, Nov. 14 to Sunday, Nov. 17. The plays on Thursday to Saturday will begin at 7:30 p.m. while the Sunday performances will take place at 2 p.m.
