“Men at some time are masters of their fates.”

– Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

“These men cannot re-do the day that sealed their fate, but they have become better men while they are serving their time.”

– SBB Audience Member

"The group dynamics have brought about a positive atmosphere and great moments of self-reflection. I was blessed to be a part of someone else’s growth and desire to want to know and be more."

– SBB Veteran/Journeymen Mentor

Shakespeare Behind Bars

Founded in 1995, Shakespeare Behind Bars is one of the longest running, continuously operating, art, theatre, Shakespeare, and original writing prison programs in the US.

Shakespeare Behind Bars currently serves 200 incarcerated adults and juveniles in multiple SBB programs in three Kentucky adult prisons – Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, Northpoint Training Center, & Southeast State Correctional Complex (virtual program); five Kentucky juvenile detention centers – Breathitt County Juvenile Detention Center Alternative School; Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Frenchburg Youth Home; Jackson County Youth Center; Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center; one Illinois juvenile detention center – Illinois Youth Center – Chicago; two virtual program for returned citizens – Shax BEYOND Bars and Shax BEYOND Bars Writer’s Circle; and one touring returned citizen memoire program – Othello’s Tribunal.

Additionally, Philomath Films and Shakespeare Behind Bars are filming a second documentary – Shakespeare BEYOND Bars.

 

 

Since 1995, Shakespeare Behind Bars has offered theatrical encounters with personal and social issues to incarcerated, post-incarcerated, and at-risk communities, allowing them to develop life skills that will ensure their successful integration into society. The youth and adults we serve experience a powerful personal transformation as a result, building life skills, emotional intelligence and coping strategies essential to successfully re-integrate into society.

6%
SBB participant recidivism rate
68%
National avg. recidivism rate

Our Programs

Adult Prison Programs

Using the healing power of the arts to transform inmate offenders from who they were when they committed their crimes, to who they wish to become.

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Juvenile Arts Programs

Providing at-risk youth with the tools they need to work towards a future outside institutions, through the transformative power of the arts.

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Attend a Performance:

The reservation request process for our performances of MACBETH is now closed. If you submitted a reservation request, your information has been submitted for security background checks. We will send you an update and more information around April 15.
If you are an annual donor, you automatically join our email list and receive priority access to reservation requests for our public performances. For more information on how to become a Shakespeare Behind Bars donor, email Curt@shakespearebehindbars.org

Watch Documentary

Philomath Films multiple award-winning documentary about Shakespeare Behind Bars 2003 production of The Tempest premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and traveled to 40+ film festivals around the world winning 11 awards.

You can view the film online.

More Info

Donate & Support our mission

We rely on the generosity of our supporters. To help us continue our services for inmates and youth, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.

Donate Now

Explore past performances…

View All Photo Galleries

SBB Photo Gallery – The Journeymen

SBB Photo Gallery – Juvenile Arts Programs

SBB Photo Gallery – SBB|MI Programs

SBB Photo Gallery – Rehearsals & Visitations

Fundraisers & Events

SBB Photo Gallery – Luther Luckett Correctional Complex Public Performances

SBB Photo Gallery – Luther Luckett Correctional Complex Public Performances

LLCC – Twelfth Night, 2016