Theatre & Film Productions
DU PAI connects incarcerated cast, crew and production teams to the public through live performances and audience talkback sessions. Arts-based performances serve educational purposes for both participants and viewers, while encouraging new conversations about the role of art across communities.
Aug. 2019
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Produced at Sterling Correctional Facility [Summer 2019]
Directed by Ashley Hamilton & Julie Rada
This was DU PAI's very first production in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Corrections. This production was taken on tour to various Colorado Department of Corrections Facilities in the summer of 2019.
Dec. 2019
A Christmas Carol
Produced at Denver Women's Correctional Facility [Fall 2019]
Directed by Clare Hammoor & Assistant Directed by Jamie Law
Production Managed by Tess Neel
This production was taken on tour to the University of Denver's Byron Theatre where over 1,200 people from the public attended the performances. This was DU PAI and the CDOC's first collaboration that was open to the general public.
Nov. 2021
Our Town
Produced at the University of Denver in partnership with the DU Theatre Department [Fall 2021]
Directed by Ashley Hamilton
This production was a staged reading including six DU undergraduate actors, three previously incarcerated actors, and seven incarcerated actors who Zoomed in live to perform on projection screens. This is a collaboration between DU PAI, the University of Denver Theatre Department, and Sterling Correctional Facility.
July 2022
IF LIGHT CLOSED ITS EYES
Produced at Sterling Correctional Facility [Summer 2022]
Executive Producer and Director: Ashley Hamilton
Director of Dance: Joanna Rotkin
Director of Photography: Drummond West
Producer and Production Manager: Tess Neel
This production is a verbatim documentary play, created from 100 interviews, exploring the criminal justice system and shared humanity. This production is performed, designed, and produced by over 50 incarcerated artists, with the guidance of DU PAI faculty, in Sterling Correctional Facility and is the culmination of over two and a half years of work by the creative team.
Dec. 2022
Godspell, The Musical
Produced at Colorado Territorial and Fremont Correctional Facilities [Fall 2022]
Directed by Clare Hammoor
Produced and Production Managed by Tess Neel
This unique production of Stephen Schwartz's classic musical GODSPELL is a collaboration of over 150 incarcerated residents and dozens of DU PAI and CDOC staff -- from Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility and Fremont Correctional Facility! This production traveled between the two facilities, performing for both CDOC residents and staff, as well as the general public.
Past Film Productions
A/LIVE Inside Virtual Showcase
A/LIVE INSIDE is an unprecedented live virtual event inviting you into multiple facilities across Colorado. You’ll meet incarcerated artists and storytellers sharing their theatrical performance, song and dance, visual art and music, and panoramic true life stories. A/LIVE INSIDE encourages and embodies transformation and celebrates the boundless humanity and creativity of CDOC residents. The arts and storytelling showcase is followed by a one-of-a-kind roundtable discussion between incarcerated participants and leadership from DU PAI and CDOC.
Cinematography: MeiLi Smith + Stephen Anderson
Antigone
Antigone was originally set to be a theatre production and perform in 2020, however, due to COVID the project shifted to become a filmed production instead. This production was produced at Limon Correctional Facility and also took part in our A/LIVE Inside Virtual Showcase in Fall of 2020. The production was officially filmed in Fall of 2021, and was viewed by CDOC facilities and loved ones of the participants. This film is not available for public viewing.
Directed by Julie Rada
Produced and Production Managed by Tess Neel
Filmed by Meili Smith