Shakespeare Behind Bars

Shakespeare Behind Bars is a Louisville, Kentucky based project focusing on the aspects of theatre that can make a person trust, collaborate, critically think, have a desire to help others and create a positive self image. The program has been a success since 1995 and it has since sparked a documentary film about the intimate's journey through the theatrical process. The documentary was by Philomath Films, an organization that supports social change by helping to create documentaries on the people and programs helping communities.

Shakespeare Behind Bars uses the themes and lessons from the legendary plays to deal with anguish, confinement and forgiveness in order to give the inmates a greater look into facing their crime. Finding relief in Shakespeare’s stories, this program has proven itself successful and gained national attention for keeping the return rate in its participants low.