Brent Buell — playwright, producer, director, and novelist — is a creative force with a lifelong commitment to social justice. After years in the theater, he began to work with Rev. Al Sharpton, helping advance advocacy efforts and community initiatives. In this episode, Brent shares powerful stories from his time directing theater with incarcerated men inside one of New York’s most notorious prisons, Sing Sing. His story captured national attention and was later turned into an award-winning (and Oscar nominated!) film. Through his work in the arts and rehabilitation programs, he offers a rare and moving look at creativity, redemption, and the transformative power of storytelling behind prison walls.

Sing Sing Official Trailer, A24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3dXc6P3zH8

Sing Sing, the film on HBO Max: https://play.hbomax.com/movie/5e4fb59a-fbe8-4be8-ba4f-eccc4005f169

Sing Sing wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sing_Sing_(2023_film)

Brent’s website www.brentbuell.com

Rehabilitation Through the Arts: www.rta-arts.org

Film, Freedom for All that Brent’s narrating about a new approach to prisons: www.humansfirstproductions.org

Art and stories by the incarcerated by Damien Linnane: www.PaperChained.com

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