A group of men incarcerated at the Dixon Correctional Center in Illinois has created an award-winning play that sheds light on the systemic issues contributing to violence in their community, and it's a testament to the power of creative expression in prison.
The play, titled "The Story Of Violence," was written by the men as part of the Dixon Performing Arts program, which aims to channel and stimulate creative energy through performing arts and poetry. The team leader, Toussaint Daniels, had a clear vision: "First, we wanted to uncover and hold accountable the systemic conditions that cultivated high-crime areas in communities of color while holding ourselves accountable to confront the fear and stereotypes we too often reinforced."
The play is a poignant exploration of the complexities of violence, as the lead characters grapple with their own experiences and perspectives. But what sets it apart is its message of hope and restorative justice – a vision for a future where neighborhoods can redefine themselves and find ways to combat violence.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including lockdowns, suspensions due to COVID-19 restrictions, and even the tragic loss of one of the lead actors, the team remained undeterred. They eventually won first place in the drama category of Pen America's 2023 National Prison Writing competition and have collaborated with WBEZ to air a radio play version of the play.
But perhaps most remarkable is the impact the play has had on their audience – the men who live and breathe the streets they're writing about. The reaction was overwhelming, with some men crying in the audience, while others applauded and expressed excitement about the play. Serious conversations have continued to unfold long after the performance, sparking a dialogue that's far from over.
For Brian Beals, founder of the Mud Theatre Project, this is a testament to the transformative power of art. "We stepped up and took a seat at the collective table to contribute to finding personal and systemic solutions to ending violence in our neighborhoods," he says. And it's a message that resonates with anyone who believes in the potential for creative expression to drive positive change.
The award-winning play is more than just a work of art – it's a beacon of hope for communities struggling with violence, and a reminder that even in the darkest corners, there is always room for light, conversation, and healing.
The play, titled "The Story Of Violence," was written by the men as part of the Dixon Performing Arts program, which aims to channel and stimulate creative energy through performing arts and poetry. The team leader, Toussaint Daniels, had a clear vision: "First, we wanted to uncover and hold accountable the systemic conditions that cultivated high-crime areas in communities of color while holding ourselves accountable to confront the fear and stereotypes we too often reinforced."
The play is a poignant exploration of the complexities of violence, as the lead characters grapple with their own experiences and perspectives. But what sets it apart is its message of hope and restorative justice – a vision for a future where neighborhoods can redefine themselves and find ways to combat violence.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including lockdowns, suspensions due to COVID-19 restrictions, and even the tragic loss of one of the lead actors, the team remained undeterred. They eventually won first place in the drama category of Pen America's 2023 National Prison Writing competition and have collaborated with WBEZ to air a radio play version of the play.
But perhaps most remarkable is the impact the play has had on their audience – the men who live and breathe the streets they're writing about. The reaction was overwhelming, with some men crying in the audience, while others applauded and expressed excitement about the play. Serious conversations have continued to unfold long after the performance, sparking a dialogue that's far from over.
For Brian Beals, founder of the Mud Theatre Project, this is a testament to the transformative power of art. "We stepped up and took a seat at the collective table to contribute to finding personal and systemic solutions to ending violence in our neighborhoods," he says. And it's a message that resonates with anyone who believes in the potential for creative expression to drive positive change.
The award-winning play is more than just a work of art – it's a beacon of hope for communities struggling with violence, and a reminder that even in the darkest corners, there is always room for light, conversation, and healing.
! A group of men creating a play to tackle systemic issues in their community? It's like something out of a movie, but it's real life, folks 
. The fact that they were able to overcome all these obstacles (COVID-19 restrictions, lockdowns, etc.) and still managed to create something amazing is just wow. And the impact it had on their audience? Mind-blowing 
. It's not often you see people from all walks of life coming together to have a serious conversation about violence and finding solutions. I mean, sure, it's not perfect, but it's a start 
. The message of hope and restorative justice is so powerful – we need more of that in the world right now 
.
Can you believe this? A group of guys in prison making an award-winning play about the systemic issues that led to them being locked up in the first place 
. It's like they're saying "Hey, we know why we're here, let's talk about it". The fact that it's resonating with their community is insane - I've seen some of these guys in the streets after performances and they're not even in tears, just nodding along to what they see on stage 
. This play might be a beacon of hope for communities struggling with violence but honestly, I think it's more like a wake-up call for us as a society - we need to listen and have these conversations too 
its crazy how they're shinin' a light on systemic issues and talkin bout hope and restorative justice 
it's like they're sayin we can change our own streets, you feel? 
and now people are cryin and applaudin in the audience 
its a real testament to the power of art, fam 
! These guys took something that could've easily been a super negative experience (being incarcerated) and turned it into something beautiful & thought-provoking. The fact that they were able to tap into their own experiences and create something so impactful on their community is truly inspiring 
. Can't help but feel a sense of pride and optimism when I hear stories like this 
. The fact that they're shedding light on systemic issues and promoting hope and restorative justice is everything 
.
. And it's not just an award-winning play, but also a conversation starter that's sparked serious discussions among the audience 
. It's time we start listening to the voices of those who've been marginalized for too long 
.
I think what's really inspiring here is how this play brought people together, not just among the cast, but also between them and their audience - folks who live on the streets they're writing about. It's like, these guys weren't just expressing themselves creatively, but were also using that as a way to understand each other better. And it's had such a profound impact, sparking conversations that are still ongoing.
. I mean, instead of just passing laws, why not use creative expression to get people talking about the real issues? It's like, a different way of looking at policy-making 
. And let's be real, it's also kinda scary how some politicians might try to silence artists or stifle their creativity 
. So yeah, this play is awesome, but I think we should be having more conversations about the intersection of art and politics – that's where the real change happens 
. I'm definitely gonna check out the radio play version of this!
love how they collaborated with pen america & wbez too 
men crying in the audience is not what i expected but it shows how real & impactful this play is 
i'm all about giving a shoutout to brian beals & the mud theatre project for being part of this amazing story 
but what I love most is that this play has sparked real conversations and dialogue in the audience. that's the power of art, right there 
. And can we talk about how beautiful the title is? 
. It gives me hope for the future 
. I'm loving how they're using art as a way to drive positive change and spark conversations