Poetic Justice Project

Features

Documentary by Matthew Evens

This film takes a powerful and in-depth look at a California theater company called Poetic Justice Project, which is comprised of formerly incarcerated writers, artists, musicians and actors who perform original plays that examine the topics of crime, punishment, and redemption.

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WHAT IF?

Written and performed by students at Los Prietos Boys Camp in Santa Barbara, WHAT IF? explores issues facing today’s youth and asks audiences to imagine a different world. The production is the culmination of Out For Good workshops by Poetic Justice Project at Los Prietos Boys Camp. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at Center of Heart in Santa Barbara, and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria. CALL BROWN PAPER TICKETS, 1-800-838-3006. Half of all ticket profits go back to Los Prietos Boys Camp. There is a free community performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19 at El Padrecito’s Dance Studio in Guadalupe.

Our Artists

We are actors, poets, singers, writers, and artists. Here are our stories.

Help Us

Your gift can help us unlock hearts and minds with bold, original theatre. Poetic Justice Project offers formerly incarcerated people the intense experience of artistic creation and theatre performance as a powerful way to contribute to their communities.

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Planet of Love, Santa Barbara: So much talent. I am so impressed with the whole project. Amazing!
Off The Hook, Redding: This cannot stop. Keep it going. The world is listening.
Women Behind the Walls, Lompoc: Beautiful, heartfelt performances, beautiful. I tell everyone I know about Poetic Justice Project.
Planet of Love, Santa Barbara: Great production. Hope you take it on the road. You should go far!
Of Mice and Men, Arroyo Grande: It touched the depth of my being.
Of Mice and Men, Salinas: Absolutely brilliant.
Off The Hook, Bakersfield: EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! I loved every moment!
Women Behind the Walls,Chico: Made me cry.
Women Behind the Walls, Arroyo Grande: It was breathtaking.
Of Mice and Men, Arroyo Grande: I have seen this play in several versions, even the opera. This is the first time I cried.
Off The Hook, Fresno: U.S. Department of Justice needs to see this!
Women Behind the Walls, SLO County Jail Womens Honor Farm: You made me laugh, cry, surprised me. Thank you for thinking of us!
Of Mice and Men, Salinas: I think John Steinbeck would be proud that this unique group of individuals brought Of Mice and Men to new life.
Women Behind the Walls, Chico: I am surprised by how emotional I became.
Planet of Love, Arroyo Grande: The voices! This cast can sing! And emotionally connect to the audience.
Off The Hook, Belmont: This was powerful. I am at a loss for words.
Off The Hook, Sacramento: Surprised by the beauty in the revelation of prison life.
Of Mice and Men, Salinas: This was the highlight of the Festival. It was better than the musicals I saw on Broadway this summer.
Women Behind the Walls, SLO County Jail Womens Honor Farm: I am speechless. Thank you again.
Of Mice and Men, Arroyo Grande: An amazing, incredibly moving night of theatre.
Off The Hook, Pioneer High School, Redding: I really admire the men who have turned their lives around, how they have found beauty in everything.
Women Behind the Walls, Alcatraz: A totally wonderful, moving experience
Women Behind the Walls, Chico: Absolutely the best piece on women in prison I have seen.

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Features

Documentary by Matthew Evens

WHAT IF?

Our Artists

Help Us

Past Productions

Of Mice and Men

Off The Hook

Women Behind the Walls