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Ellen Williams is an associate professor at Rutgers University and director of a 4H youth development program. 4H stands for head, heart, hands, and health. In her half hour interview, she explains in detail that she is not be a part of the system, clearly wanting to show that she does not support the conditions in prisons.

The Drama Therapy in Prisons Collection can be accessed by the general public at:

https://dramatherapyabroad.wixsite.com/dtcollection/drama-therapy-in-prisons

New contributions to the c1ollection are welcome. Contact the editors for more information on how you can propose additional recorded interviews and resources. 

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Suraya Keating is the director of Shakespeare for Social Justice with Marin Shakespeare Company. She works with people who are currently and formerly incarcerated. Inside she teaches and directs students in Shakespeare plays. She also developed the Parallel Play, a creative and expressive performance process that follows the semester in which a Shakespeare play has been performed. Students are asked to take themes from the play and create original material based on their own life experiences. In addition to performing their pieces, the parallel play creates bridges of love and compassion for oneself and others. Keating believes the work to open our hearts and minds can influence policy for people inside and outside by shifting mindsets. You can read more about her work athttps://suraya.org.

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Linda Gregoric Cook is a past president of NADTA (1995-97). In her hour-long interview she details the educational background and professional training that led her to start one of the earliest drama therapy programs in prisons in the 1970s, a program that lasted over a decade and received a great deal of recognition and support.

To view the interview with Linda Gregoric Cook, visit the DTC YouTube channel. 

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Rhodessa Jones identifies as an activist/artist and is the founder of the Medea Project: Theater for Incarcerated Women, an award-winning performance workshop committed to the personal and social transformation of women since 1989. She is also the co-founder of the critically acclaimed performance company, Cultural Odyssey.  Jones has been widely published with accounts of her work and methodology as well as the recipient of many fellowships and grants. She has taught at multiple universities and institutions internationally. With the motto of ART SAVES LIVES, Jones shares in the interview how theatre saved her life and why her continued mission to work with incarcerated women is still strong 50 years since her connection to Arts-in-Corrections began. She shows up “…interested in telling the truth and practicing revolution” (9:14-9:20) and shares generously from her wisdom. You can read more about her work at https://themedeaproject.weebly.com/.
 
To view the interview with Rhodessa Jones, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR68Q1czwvs&list=PLJNZKBMPTaD8RsxsXUu4kexaIupGnai7t&index=16

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Zeina Daccache is a drama therapist, Board Certified Trainer, and founder of Catharsis: Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy. Their mission is to spread drama therapy around the country and region. They are mainly known for their work in Lebanese prisons. They also work with Palestinian refugees, Syrian refugees, migrant domestic workers, and anyone who would like to benefit from drama therapy, including corporations. Catharsis also has a training program for people aiming to become drama therapists. There were many challenges to working in the prisons, especially in face of the government and officials. Daccache describes her process of beginning work in Roumieh Prison, the largest prison in Lebanon. She describes her work starting as a drama therapist, then acting as a lawyer, an advocate, family mediator, and even involved in the inmates’ healthcare. Daccache also describes her work with women who experienced domestic violence. Daccache’s work has helped to change laws for justice impacted people in Lebanon. You can read more about her work at http://www.catharsislcdt.org/.

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