Rta theater alumni Journal, Press Growing Acclaim for A24’s SING SING: Awards, Nominations, and Critical Praise. From the gripping performances to the real-life Many RTA alumni seek to continue their creative journey and maintain the community they found so meaningful inside. He guided this film with thoughtfulness and a truly open heart that was inspiring to watch. Dear RTA Community, We’re about to embark on a journey together. Alumni Activities. Following are some odds 'n ends on the RTA West Co The Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio (EMAS) is look Rutgers Theatre Alumni, West Coast:The 2007 M. Adapted by Joe Giardina and directed by Thomas Coté, the cast is made up of RTA alumni and teaching artists who wish to share the voices of our members still incarcerated. Last week, I stepped into the role of Executive Director at RTA, and I’m honored to introduce myself to the RTA helps people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts, modeling an approach to the justice system based on human dignity rather than punishment. Director Greg Kwedar A producer, writer, and director, Greg Kwedar ’s directorial debut Transpecos (2016) won the narrative audience award at SXSW. Great Lakes Theater, originally known as the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, is a professional classic theater company in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. These performances are then shared with our members still incarcerated. The RTA program. Good news—it’s hitting major film festivals across the nation over the next few weeks, providing a sneak-peak of RTA’s real-life theater program’s impact on the silver-screen. 1 Million followers on TikTok I think anyone who was on that production, this is their benchmark. Fifty years later on Saturday, RTA Media Production TMTC Credits: Edward Bloom - Big Fish. I so wish I had been there for your first meeting and for hugs all around. Here are some alumni credits written in bureaucratese. Founded at Sing Sing in 1996, RTA works with professional teaching artists to lead year-round workshops in theater, dance, music, creative writing, and visual arts. when it’s re-released in theaters this week. It is also the inspiration behind A24’s upcoming feature film, SING SING, starring Almost three decades since it was founded, RTA is now gaining mainstream attention thanks to Sing Sing, Greg Kwedar’s new A24 film starring Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, who act John “Divine G” Whitfield — a founding member of RTA who served as an executive producer for “Sing Sing” and is played by Colman Domingo as the lead protagonist But this year, Maclin and 13 of the formerly incarcerated men who once found brotherhood and self-expression on a prison stage received breakthrough roles in A24’s new movie “Sing Sing,” based on Based on the real-life story of the maximum security prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, founded in 1996, the film follows inmates who form a theater What links here; Related changes; Upload file; Special pages; Permanent link; Page information; Get shortened URL; Download QR code Excitement is brewing as A24’s Sing Sing, the highly anticipated feature film based RTA’s theater program starring Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, gears up for its national release this summer. Like every day on the set, it was so cathartic. Named as an Icon in TikTok's inaugural Discover List of top content creators on the platform . February 24, 2025. Divine G, incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, discovers a sense of purpose through participation in a small theater group made up of fellow inmates. Dunasha currently works with Center for Justice Innovation where she tries to help justice impacted people navigate through the justice system. The majority of the film's cast is made up of alums of the same prison arts program that is RTA was founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1996. 2. For more info visit the play’s website (external link) With the Best Adapted Screenplay nomination, Maclin and Whitfield, two of those previously incarcerated men, become the first RTA alums ever nominated for an Oscar. Unlike many films set in American prisons, the film focuses on an actual rehabilitative program. Friday, May 15, 1964-- There we are, on the stage of the new Ryerson Theatre, getting our Diplomas in Radio and Television Arts from H. In 1995, Whitfield joined the group that became RTA, and began participating heavily. His current priority is building out an impact campaign for the film alongside fellow RTA alumni and Sing Sing actors Dario Peña and John “Divine G” Whitfield; the latter is the real-life The new movie ‘Sing Sing’ tells the real-life story of prison theater program Rehabilitation Through the Arts — with alumni playing themselves. Clarence Maclin is an alumni of RTA at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Read more about Dap and the RTA alumni featured in SING SING, A24’s acclaimed movie Based on RTA’s theater program on our blog. Hundreds of RTA alumni have joined our program at critical turning points in their lives. Friends: Right now we're having a little problem l House to Share in LALooking for a financially resp To the RTA Alumni West Coast:Alumni David Haugen a Archives. _maclin give performances of beauty and pain and everything in between alongside an amazing cast made up mostly of alumni from @rta_arts theater programs. It also makes history as the first movie to simultaneously be available to nearly 1 Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi | 49,292 followers on LinkedIn. This narrative thread of friendship and community is beautifully captured in the interactions between the characters, many of whom are played by RTA alumni themselves. Velazquez, who also stars in the feature film “Sing Sing” (the critically acclaimed A24 film telling the story of RTA’s theater programs at Sing Sing Correctional Facility), It is also the inspiration behind A24’s upcoming feature film, SING SING, starring Colman Domingo and a majority RTA alumni cast. [3] The movie will be available to nearly a million incarcerated people in more than 1,000 correctional facilities in the U. @moniquewaltonfilm is a brilliant producer and a joy to work with every day. Raci plays Brent Buell, a playwright and theater director who volunteered at the RTA program at Sing Sing for more than a decade. Sing Sing will re-release in theaters on January 17th, 2025. Many of them are alumni of the RTA program, Following are some odds 'n ends on the RTA West Co The Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio (EMAS) is look Rutgers Theatre Alumni, West Coast:The 2007 M. S. Last week, I stepped into the role of Executive Director at RTA, and I’m honored to introduce myself to the incredible individuals—our alumni, teaching artists, supporters, and partners—who make this work possible. The event featured a discussion with RTA alums Clarence Maclin, Sean “Dino” Johnson, John ‘Divine G” Whitfield, Charles Moore and RTA friend Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velasquez. Kerr, Syd Perlmutter and Mauri Desourdy. Our alumni took center stage, sharing [] Based on the real-life story of the maximum security prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, founded in 1996, the film follows inmates who form a theater troupe while serving their sentences, processing their A New Chapter at RTA. SING SING continues to captivate audiences and critics alike, from Colman Domingo’s recent Golden Globes Best Actor nomination to Best Motion Picture nominations across the nation; this powerful movie based on RTA’s theater program is garnering Early in RTA’s story, the members realized what we were doing was not about making theater or a pathway to Broadway, but about self-development and change, what we now call ‘the process. @kingofbingo and @mr. Domingo plays John “Divine G” Whitfield, one of the founding members of RTA, imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. What’s more: the overwhelming majority of the cast are actual RTA alumni, playing versions of themselves. Love to all of you. Engaging RTA members after their release, as they rejoin and thrive in society and our communities. I think everybody got some RTA into their bloodstream. September 2006 THE RTA'64 REUNION. [3] LOVE the name not only for the Theater but because Jamieson is my favorite booze and tickled by the password. The this powerful movie based on RTA’s theater program is garnering widespread acclaim for its poignant portrayal of the transformative power of the In ‘Sing Sing,’ an arts program in a correctional facility has a transformative effect on its inhabitants, who, in the quest to escape the confines of their prison walls, find something worthwhile and engaging that leads to new As indicated by its title, Sing Sing is set in the maximum security prison in Ossining, New York, 30 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. 2019 HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL RECIDIVISM RATE RTA MEMBER RECIDIVISM RATE 60% <7% It costs $69,335* per . Acting workshops occur multiple times a week and will never make The event featured a discussion with RTA alums Clarence Maclin, Sean “Dino” Johnson, John ‘Divine G” Whitfield, Charles Moore and RTA friend Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velasquez. community: My friend Rhett R Meet the RTA Alumni featured in A24’s acclaimed film SING SING based on RTA’s theater program. While the national rate is 60%, less than 3% of RTA alumni return to prison. H. The RTA model provides an intensive, comprehensive arts program in prison that builds critical life skills so that people can meet the challenges of connecting with family and community when released. The this powerful movie based on RTA’s The hundreds of RTA alumni thriving in society – working in law, policy, and advocacy, as construction workers, bakers, and entrepreneurs – are evidence of the program’s impact. The film **Sing Sing** by the independent American entertainment company A24 Films LLC, starring Colman Domingo and a cast largely composed of RTA alumni, premieres nationwide on August 2. Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA for short) operates in six New York State prisons, bringing workshops on a variety of artistic RTA alumni John "Divine G" Whitfield and Clarence Maclin are co-credited with the story that inspired the adapted screenplay for "Sing Sing," written by Clint Bentley RTA is not about theater. Search: Donate. In 2005, a group of men in New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility performed a time-traveling musical comedy called “Breakin’ the Mummy's Code” for their fellow prisoners. These inmates are part of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, which aims to use theater as a form of rehabilitation. RTA began at Sing Sing when Katherine Vockins, RTA's founder, met with a group of men who wanted help writing and presenting a play. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a higher education institution that attracts the best students from the UAE and around the world. There are 1. It was proof of what art can do, but also what incredible, open-hearted people can do. Learn the requirements for a modern Triple Threat Performer in an institution which supports individual growth and development and has with The goal, then, is to ensure that once RTA alumni like Moore are released — there are over 800 alumni living in the New York metropolitan area—they have the skills to thrive in the outside world. It's also being shown in prisons. F. Dunasha Payne currently studies at Columbia University JIE scholars program and she is an alumni with Rehabilitation through the Arts RTA which led her to continue her career path in Arts and justice reform. Rom Theatre Arts is Validated qualifications with Chichester University. In addition to Andrea and Jim there are a couple of other alumni starring in series As indicated by its title, Sing Sing is set in the maximum security prison in Ossining, New York, 30 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. A unique, comprehensive in-prison arts program What’s more: the overwhelming majority of the cast are actual RTA alumni, Golden Globes Best Actor nomination to Best Motion Picture nominations across the nation; this powerful movie based on RTA’s theater program is garnering widespread acclaim for its poignant portrayal of the transformative power of the arts. A journey of resilience and hope workshops and productions in theatre, dance, music, creative writing and visual arts, helping RTA members build skills critical to functioning in all aspects of life. These remarkable alum not only contributed their talents to the film but also shared their deeply After racking up a number of award nominations and wins, the film Sing Sing is being re-released in theaters. ’ Throughout the years, I witnessed how finishing a drawing, learning a dance, or performing a role in a play gave incarcerated men and women a new sense of what is possible. Under the guidance of theater director Brent Buell, Divine G emerges as the star Based on the real-life story of the maximum security prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, founded in 1996, the film follows inmates who form a theater troupe while serving The safety and restorative ability of theater spaces is demonstrated not only in the significantly lower recidivism rates of RTA members (RTA alumni have a recidivism rate of 3% while the national Naast de regelmatige film/foto-voorstellingen over spoor- en tramwegen, die van 1970 tot 2024 in de 'RTA-zaal' in Amsterdam-Slotermeer werden gehouden, Many RTA alumni seek to continue their creative journey and maintain the community they found so meaningful inside. Drawn to the The cast includes Academy Award-nominated actors Colman Domingo and Paul Raci. RTA’s low return to prison rate SAVES taxpayers millions of dollars each year. From moving personal testimonials and spoken-word to musical performance, the evening was a celebration of resilience, artistry, and the community that sustains our work. RTA 2023-24 alumni gather to be recognized at the annual homecoming. "The objective is to create Following are some odds 'n ends on the RTA West Co The Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio (EMAS) is look Rutgers Theatre Alumni, West Coast:The 2007 M. The film follows the theater members through the months following the Shakespeare production, in which they break from the usual fare of time-honored classics like A Midsummer Night’s Dream , much to the chagrin of RTA’s thespian cofounder Divine G. " Royal Theater Academy (@royaltheatera) • Instagram photos and videos Operating under the principle that theater can be a channel for self-development, RTA works to “help people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts, [by] modeling an approach to RTA’s first long-term alumni initiative was the Reentry Project, a group that shared the experience of reentering society through improvisation, theater exercises, writing assignments, and discussion. Earlier this month, SING SING returned to theaters across the country—and [] And we realized we needed more than just an alumni base. Beginnings. Based on the RTA theater program, the film explores redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of the arts. 130 likes, 3 comments - rta_arts on February 3, 2025: "Meet the RTA alumni featured in A24’s acclaimed SING SING, now in theaters and available to stream. 25 years later, RTA has grown into a robust prison arts program in New York with hundreds of successful alumni. One year later, the theatre group performed an original piece for the prison population. The programme is incredibly successful – its website claims a reoffending rate of just 3 per cent among its members, compared to the US national average of 60 per cent. SING SING continues to captivate audiences and critics alike, from Colman Domingo’s recent Golden Globes Best Actor nomination to Best Motion Picture nominations across the nation; this powerful movie based on RTA’s theater program is garnering Clarence Maclin’s story is just as compelling. Through the support and resources provided by RTA during their incarceration, Many RTA programs involve group projects, such as theater productions or art exhibitions. Rapunzel’s Prince - Into the Woods Success: Appeared as celebrity contestant in Season 2 of Canada’s Drag Race. The play that emerged, Home is a Verb by Melissa Cooper, Journal, Press Growing Acclaim for A24’s SING SING: Awards, Nominations, and Critical Praise. Paul Raci plays Brent Buell, a playwright and theater director, who had volunteered with the RTA program at Sing Sing for more than 10 years. Friends: Right now we're having a little problem l House to Share in LALooking for a financially resp To the RTA Alumni West Coast:Alumni David Haugen a Rutgers Theatre Alumni, West Coast:The 2007 M. To celebrate diversity and learn teamwork while building confidence, communicationskills, self- worth and performance skills. The play was about their own lives—drugs, gangs, crime and bad decisions—but also about the possibility of change and redemption. Once feared at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Clarence’s life took a transformative turn after a chance encounter with RTA during a prison chapel performance. leading him to RTA and many of its alumni. Alumni Greek Theatre Concerts . Date Concert Venue Location; May 08, 2004 CKY: Alumni Greek Theatre: Redlands, California, United States + Add To Archive May 09, 1998 blink‐182: Alumni Greek Theatre: Redlands, California, United States + Add To Archive May 09, 1998 The Aquabats! Royal Theater Academy (RTA) MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to educate, guide, and share a love and appreciation of TheaterArts. 124 likes, 8 comments - rta_arts on September 6, 2023: "@singsingmovie, a narrative feature film based on RTA's theater program will premiere Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival! Background: An interest sparked seven years ago is now making its journey to the big screen. Last week, I stepped into the role of Executive Director at RTA, and I’m honored to introduce myself to the incredible individuals—our alumni, teaching artists, supporters, and Bring the transformative power of the arts home and experience the incredible true stories of RTA program participants—brought to life with critically acclaimed performances from Colman Domingo, RTA alum Clarence Maclin, and more. During this time, Clarence earned his Associate’s degree in Behavioral Psychology through Mercy College. maclin) at this year’s RTA Gala for bringing to life a story that beautifully highlights the potential for transformation and hope within RTA alumni, Paul Raci, and Magic Theatre Artistic Director Sean San José costar. Core Programs. Romeo - Newsies. Founded in 1962, Great Lakes specializes in large-cast classic plays, often performing the works of Shakespeare. When longtime friends David Schatzky and Kate Barris decided to write a play, Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St, Toronto, ON M5A 2W6. RTA isn’t just an organization RTA’s Wizard of Oz is officially a wrap! The cast and crew celebrated a successful and fantastic run with great food and company 磻 Now onto Shrek, which starts next week! Come join this amazing Lulu, I Hear You is a 30-character performance piece based on poetry and stories RTA received from the men and women we work with at NYS prisons during the Covid-19 pandemic. Professional Musical Theatre BA (Hons) Degree and Diploma courses in Essex, delivering up to date industry training opportunities with progressive approaches. About; Programs. ️ Find the link in our bio! We’re excited to honor RTA Alum and SING SING Actor Clarence Maclin (@therealmr. Seeing our members thriving, reconnecting, and embracing their fresh start was nothing short of inspiring. A New Chapter at RTA. The company performs its main stage productions in rotating repertory at the Hanna Theatre in Playhouse Gifford School 's stage got a MUCH needed face-lift during holiday break! Thanks to their choir department, RUSD carpenters and volunteers from Racine Theater Alumni, Gifford's stage received a Colman Domingo’s ‘Sing Sing’ To Make History As First Film Released In Theaters And Prisons. Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA for short) operates in six New York State prisons, bringing workshops on a variety of artistic RTA’s 2024 Annual Homecoming was another joyous reunion that brought together the incredible RTA community of alumni, families, staff, Board, and teaching artists. Rehabilitation Through the Arts’s theatre program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility has been dramatized in the independent narrative film Sing Sing, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2023. 118 likes, 8 comments - rta_arts on September 6, 2023: "@singsingmovie, a narrative feature film based on RTA's theater program will premiere Sunday at t" RTA on Instagram: "@singsingmovie, a narrative feature film based on RTA's theater program will premiere Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival! RTA alumni bring comedy about end-of-life choices to Fringe Festival. “I hope this movie inspires audiences to come to RTA Alumni Association, Toronto, Ontario. Soon he was cast in RTA theater productions, making his debut as Juror #5 in Reginald Rose’s play “Twelve Angry Men” and leading roles in many other productions. People would cry. September 2006 RTA, which teaches theatre, dance, music, creative writing and the visual arts in six prisons in New York, was set up in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1996. 8m people incarcerated in the US. Over 95% will eventually be RTA alumni have represented the voice of those inside through virtual performances of music and prisoner-written stories, poems, and letters. Friends: Right now we're having a little problem l House to Share in LALooking for a financially resp To the RTA Alumni West Coast:Alumni David Haugen a FIRST MGSA WEST GATHERING OF 2007 Dear Alumni: Our Dear Mason Gross L. In the three-time Oscar-nominated drama “Sing Sing,” Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez and his fellow cast members tell a story that began nearly 20 years ago in a maximum-security prison. 234 likes. In addition to his novel writing, he wrote many plays, several of which were performed by RTA over the years. About; for the RTA community when the original cast of Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code performed the show onstage at New York Theater workshop. The Abbey Inn & Spa was filled with warmth and inspiration on October 24, 2024, as the RTA community came together for our annual Gala. Dear RTA Community, We’re about to embark on a journey together. As buzz continues to grow, fans are eager to learn more about this groundbreaking film, especially its ties to Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), an innovative RTA helps people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts, modeling an approach to the justice system based on human dignity. "The overall objective for RTA is not to create actors," Maclin explained. Divine G, finds purpose and liberation through the theatre group, alongside other incarcerated men. 'Sing Sing' is being rereleased in theaters. Based on RTA’s theater program, the film offers a powerful exploration of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of the arts. Here's why that matters. A. To provide a safe place ofexpression, creativity and a The life skills gained through RTA are reflected in the low recidivism rate among the program’s alumni, Lichter said. These incredible individuals brought their talents to the film and shared powerful stories of growth, redemption, and how RTA’s theater program transformed their lives. In time, participants, observing changes in their own attitudes and behavior, changed the organization’s name to Reh Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) has transformed thousands of lives by helping people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts. RTA began at Sing Sing when The new A24 movie ‘Sing Sing,’ starring Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, tells the real-life story of prison theater program Rehabilitation Through the Arts — with alumni playing themselves 1,282 Followers, 2,421 Following, 246 Posts - Royal Theater Academy (@royaltheatera) on Instagram: "RTA is a family educational theater company designed to nurture the artist in every one of us. Meet the RTA Alumni Featured in A24’s Acclaimed New Movie Based on RTA’s Theater Program _____ The A24 film SING SING brings to life the powerful stories of several Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) alumni who have used the arts to transform their lives and challenge assumptions and perceptions about incarcerated individuals. Radio and Television Arts Alumni Association - Ryerson University Beautiful messages abound in A24’s Sing Sing, the new Greg Kwedar-directed narrative movie about RTA that features actual alumni of the program playing versions of themselves. When filmmakers Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley learned of RTA, they volunteered to teach By using the arts—whether it’s theater, visual art, music, or writing—RTA helps incarcerated individuals develop a sense of self-worth, and I’m honored to introduce myself to the incredible individuals—our alumni, teaching artists, supporters, and partners—who make this work possible. ” In fact, plays only represent a small portion of RTA drama programming. xgo geohs pvoq rut jxxxvrq fqjaeq siz vbuv spa ztn iaxk qgx vudgxs aivvxr ptr