Former Prisoners Explore Art & Theater With The Pulitzer's New Program

In conjunction with the current exhibition of Old Masters works, the Pulitzer announces the launch of an innovative program in which former prisoners use the exploration of art and theatre to help develop skills for their future lives and employment. Staging Old Masters: Former Prisoners
Perform at the Pulitzer features theatrical performances by former inmates on themes related to artwork featured in the exhibition. These will take place at the Pulitzer with two performances every Saturday, April 4 through May 2, at 6:30pm and 7:30pm and two performances each Sunday, April 5 through May 3, at 1:30pm and 2:30pm.

Due to popular demand, the performances have been extended one weekend: Saturday, May 9 at 6:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, May 10 at 1:30pm and 2:30pm. The run concludes with a special panel discussion with the actors and program organizers at 3:30pm on Sunday, May 10.

The actors are graduates of Employment Connection, the region's foremost workforce development agency assisting former inmates and homeless veterans.Agnes Wilcox, founder and artistic director of Prison Performing Arts, will lead a six-week class, held alternately at the Pulitzer and at Washington University, that begins with the exploration of Old Masters and theirhistories and stories, and continues with a study of writing, movement, voice and diction, and other performance skills. The program culminates in the creation and performance of short theatre pieces based on the students' interaction with the works featured in the exhibition. Concurrently, they will attend specialized classes through Employment Connection to bridge their work in class to the development of employment and life skills. Washington University students from the Performing Arts Department, the Department of English, and the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, as well as faculty from the Performing Arts Department will collaborate with the actors to foster a mutually-beneficial learning environment, an open atmosphere and a supportive, team-building experience.

The Pulitzer is developing into a laboratory in which a variety of art forms can be used as a connection to the visual art exhibited in the building and as a way to engage the community. The theatre performances will explore how Old Masters can find resonance in the 21st century, building a bridge between the art and a new audience, all while incorporating beneficial skills that the students can use in their post-incarceration lives. Additional outcomes to the program include continuing the development of the students' stress-coping skills, increased awareness of diversity for all students, instructors, and audiences, and the successful employment of all of the participants.

Staging Old Masters: Former Prisoners at the Pulitzer will be documented online through videos, photographs, and interviews and will feature the process behind the program, from the initial classes to the final performances. To learn more about this program and to follow-along with the process visit: stagingoldmasters.pulitzerarts.org.

Performances are open to the public and free of charge. Tickets are available on a first-come first-serve basis and available immediately prior to the performance. The performances are held in front of the artworks. Due to the intimate setting, there is limited space available for each performance. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early.

This program is generously sponsored by KWMU and Arts for Life.