‘Before this workshop I did not believe in hope. When I came here the first day they said ‘hope’ I said ‘no’. Now, if I ever get asked to come to another workshop I won’t second guess it, I will come because I might learn and grow; I might become a better person, a better actor, and I can learn something from it.’ — Luke (participant, Geelong)

The first program of OUT ALIVE workshops has now concluded, with three successful week-long programs held in Castlemaine, Geelong and Shepparton btween 2021–23. Partnering with Regional Arts Victoria and the Victorian Legal Services board, this project was assisted with support from The Torch, Platform Arts, and Riverlink Eastbank to deliver supported workshops in an experimental model that facilitated a unique exchange between artists and ex-offenders; considering the parole system, and the challenges prisoners face when reintegrating into society post prison. At the conclusion of each workshop the community was invited to an intimate showing, which involved a sharing of trust exercises and mock parole interviews, improvised between the actors and ex-offenders. Audiences also had the opportunity to hear from experts in the criminal justice system — the ex offenders themselves — and to meet and chat afterwards in an informal setting.

As this phase of OUT ALIVE wraps up, the creative team are continuing to consolidate research and collateral, with more to be shared soon.

Hello again!

KIN is back. After more than a few false starts due to COVID restrictions, the OUT ALIVE project is happening. It’s now two years since we were due to begin, so we’re thrilled to finally get stuck into it. Over the next 12 months or so, OUT ALIVE will take place in three regional Victorian towns, starting with Castlemaine.

But what is OUT ALIVE and why should you care?

OUT ALIVE is a new community justice model that builds on the learning, research, and methodology of successful KIN theatre project, The Chat. It is an evolving workshop model that engages community members and former prisoners as experts on criminal justice. Drawing on the existing strength, creativity and ethical thinking of the people taking part, each workshop builds on the contributions of those taking part to find creative solutions to criminal justice challenges such as prisoner reintegration, and questions such as what role might communities play in sentencing. Simple yet innovative group work strategies such as role play and guided discussions embrace diversity of opinion and experience, and aim to reach shared experiences that can lead to meaningful change in our communities.

The next two workshops will take place in Regional Victoria in 2022. If you are interested in being involved or think this project should come to your community next, then please email us via the contact page.

Out Alive is a joint program of KIN, Regional Arts Victoria and the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner grants program.

photo by Bryon Jackson: Peter, Susan and Sam from The Chat workshop 2015

Hello,

We are finally recovering from our massive new show Judith’s Return, that was recently presented in the Theatre Royal, Hobart, as part of MONA FOMA Festival 2021. Two triumphant first shows were performed to a sold out theatre each night in what was an amazing festival.

After 6 years of making the work across continents it was wild to then premiere it during COVID. Interstate travel was blocked keeping our lead performer, renowned soprano Jacqui Dark , stuck in Sydney. We successfully applied for for an Essential Worker Exemption and she was permitted to enter the state in order to perform. Great news for our production to have a performer of Jacqui’s ability, but also how brilliant to have an artist approved as essential! The good news was tempered by some pretty unfortunate COVID safe restrictions – Jacqui only had a week to prepare her performance and was required to mask up during shows. Fortunately for us, the work was set in biblical times and our costume designer Sabio fashioned Jacqui a veil that made it all ok.

Joining Jacqui on stage were local performers Sue Pickard and Shirley Gibson of MADE. The music was performed by an ensemble of local musicians, predominantly from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and led by percussionist and conductor Gary Wain.

The production included the voices of currently incarcerated male prisoners from Białołęka Prison in Warsaw, Poland in 2014 and in Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison in Hobart in 2020. The recordings were made during voluntary workshops exploring the virtue of courage and the old testament story of Judith.

The mens names are Wojtek, Jacek, Piotr, Zbysziek, Piotrek & Kamil. The women’s names cannot be listed due to Tasmanian Prison Service policy, which aims to protect the identities of those involved while being sensitive to victims living in the community.

Maybe she was mad at God,
and she had the courage to do something against him.
To disturb God’s plan, like in Faust, yeah?
(more…)

KIN is thrilled to announce it has organised for the donation of eight Fender acoustic guitars to the inmates of Risdon Prison. The donation was made possible by Jail Guitar Doors, an organisation based in the USA providing musical instruments and mentorship to help rehabilitate incarcerated individuals through the transformative power of music.

The guitars will be able to be used by men and women currently housed in Risdon Prison. This will include playing and recording with music workshops planned to take part in Risdon Prison in 2021.

Below is a message from Wayne Kramer, renowned guitarist co-founder of the organisation:

After over ten years working in America’s prisons and jails we know empirically that the transformative power of music and the rest of the performing arts is one of the best tools we have to help people find a new, non-confrontational way to communicate. The change we seek is fundamental, we want to change hearts and minds so that when our friends and family members are released, they have new tools to use to help them rejoin civic life and thrive in their community.

Please consider this donation of guitars not as a gift but a challenge. The people that donated the money to purchase these instruments are sending a message to our brothers and sisters behind bars. That message is: We believe in you. We know that given the tools and programming necessary, most of you will step up and do the hard work of positive change.

So, If you accept our guitars, you have accepted our challenge to use them to learn a new way to express painful and uncomfortable memories and emotions. To add to the beauty of the world by creating songs of struggle and strife is a powerful argument against the soul crushing dehumanization that institution life brings with it. Our humanity is our greatest gift and to connect and encourage that humanity is the only viable purpose of incarceration. We want to work on the correcting part of “corrections.”

Thanks for the opportunity to be of service to our friends in Australia and let us know if there is anything else we can do. Wishing you all well and especially send a big thanks to prison staff and officials who have approved of our efforts.

Sincerely,
Wayne Kramer, co-founder
Jail Guitar Doors-USA

Image credit Jesse Hunniford

KIN is excited to announce the premiere of Judith’s Return at MONA FOMA 2021, to take place on the 23rd and 24th of January at Theatre Royal, Hobart.

This is a soaring, romantic and full-throttle new opera, inspired by the story of Judith — a biblical heroine and murderous widow who (supposedly) seduced an invading army general and chopped off his head — a contemporary reflection on crime and virtue.

Judith’s Return has been six years in the making, including the lengthy process of gaining access to Białołęka — one of eastern Europe’s largest detention centres. Working with a Polish translator and sound recordist, James Brennan ran a six week program in the prison’s gymnasium with nine men imprisoned at Białołęka. Joining these absent men on stage is renowned soprano Jacqueline Dark in the role of Judith, and a performer and ex-offender from Risdon Women’s prison, to be announced.