Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) is a groundbreaking theater program that brings incarcerated individuals in maximum-security prisons onstage, promoting rehabilitation through creative expression. Colman Domingo's new movie highlights this inspiring initiative, showcasing its profound impact on the lives of participants.
Domingo, 54, explains that RTA's mission is "to come in and make a real difference — not just to put on a play, but to deliver beautiful messages that can be used as tools for life."
A24's new film, Sing Sing, directed by Greg Kwedar, features alumni of the RTA program portraying versions of themselves. Apart from stars like Domingo, Paul Raci, and Sean San José, the cast includes men who were formerly incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility or nearby prisons and who took part in RTA's theater productions.
Sean "Dino" Johnson, a founding member and current board member, shares that RTA gave him a voice and transformed his life. The self-described "introvert," 59, recalls, "Before RTA, I wasn't an effective communicator. Being part of the arts gave me vocabulary, understanding, and the ability to listen better."
Participating in theater productions, such as volunteer playwright Brent Buell's Breakin' the Mummy's Code depicted in Sing Sing, fostered a sense of community. Johnson notes, "RTA taught us how to work together and learn from each other."
Operating in six correctional facilities within a 200-mile radius of New York City, RTA's mission is to help incarcerated individuals develop critical life skills through the arts, promoting an approach to justice based on human dignity. Their success is evident: less than 3% of RTA members return to prison, compared to 60% nationally.
Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez, who spent over 23 years in Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, highlights the support and humanity within RTA. He shares, "The real power in RTA is the support and humanity from volunteers who pour their time into us."
Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin, who reenacts his participation in Breakin' the Mummy's Code in Sing Sing, also contributed as a co-story writer. Reflecting on his journey from discovering RTA to premiering an awards contender at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Maclin says, "I met so many beautiful people. RTA has introduced me to a whole new world."
Kwedar, 39, who volunteered with RTA at Green Haven Correctional Facility, emphasizes the broader impact of the program. He states, "RTA isn't just about producing actors for movies and TV but about how participants will become community leaders and help repair their communities."
This inspiring narrative reveals the transformative power of theater and the potential of rehabilitative programs to uplift and empower individuals behind bars, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.