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Deep Dive: Shakespeare Behind Bars (2005)

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Shakespeare Behind Bars
In 'Shakespeare Behind Bars', directed by Hank Rogerson, twenty male inmates at a Kentucky prison form a Shakespearean acting troupe. This initiative allows them to engage with Shakespeare's works, providing a creative outlet and a chance for personal reflection. As they rehearse and perform, the inmates confront their pasts and explore themes of redemption, identity, and humanity. The documentary captures the transformative power of art within the prison system, illustrating how theater impacts the inmates' lives and relationships. The tagline, 'Murderers, Fugitives, Thieves... Shakespeare would have loved these guys', reflects the complex backgrounds of the participants and their engagement with Shakespeare's timeless themes.

Why Watch

  • •Meet inmates performing Shakespeare in a Kentucky prison.
  • •Find out how theater affects inmates' lives and relationships.
  • •See a unique approach to art and redemption.

Did You Know

•The film features twenty male inmates participating in the program.
•It was directed by Hank Rogerson and released in 2005.
•The documentary has a runtime of 93 minutes.

Perfect For

Theater enthusiastsPrison reform advocatesShakespeare fans