The Actors' Gang Prison Project: A Unique Approach to Rehabilitation

The Actors' Gang Prison Project is a groundbreaking program that combines theatre with rehabilitation, aiming to unlock human potential behind bars. Founded by Tim Robbins in 1981, the project has been successfully running for over three decades, with an impressive 0% recidivism rate among its participants.

In 2014, the project toured a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Tim Robbins himself. This marked one of several international performances that year, including shows in Nashville, Los Angeles, Spoleto, Shanghai, and Beijing. The project's commitment to community outreach extends beyond performances, offering weekly Pay-What-You-Can shows and free Shakespeare-in-the-Park adaptations for all ages.

The Actors' Gang Prison Project focuses on providing 8-week workshops inside California prisons, working with young people to create original ensemble theatre. This unique approach aims to promote effective rehabilitation by tapping into the human potential of prisoners. Since its inception, the project has achieved a remarkable 0% recidivism rate, far surpassing California's average recidivism rate of over 60%.

The company also offers free after-school, in-school, and summer programs for Los Angeles County youth through its Education and Outreach Program. Guest artists have included notable figures such as Jackson Browne, Sarah Silverman, and Tim Robbins himself.

Throughout its history, the Actors' Gang has presented work by renowned theater artists like Georges Bigot and Simon Abkarian. Guided by Founding Artistic Director Tim Robbins, the company has produced over 150 plays in Los Angeles, across forty US states, and on five continents.

The Actors' Gang's commitment to innovative theatre-making and community outreach has earned it a reputation as one of the most respected experimental theater companies in the world. Its Prison Project stands out as a beacon of hope for rehabilitation, demonstrating that even behind bars, human potential can be unlocked through the power of theatre.

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