Media History

A.  Shakespeare Behind Bars Award-Winning Documentary – Philomath Fims

SBB Documentary

B.  Trailer to the Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary:


C.  Trailer with Statistics to the Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1754198994615552

D. Kentucky Warden Larry Chandler speaking about the power of Shakespeare Behind Bar at the Idea Festival.


E.  Variety of television coverage of Shakespeare Behind Bars:

https://www.nadiadenisebrown.com/news (CNN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im-7-zdiW7Y  (Local Michigan TV)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEik144ucxk  (CNN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G0O_XS77V8  (CBS Early Show)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1435TZx1L8  (Local Kentucky TV)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4lA_0u3_3I (Local Kentucky TV)

F. Documentary Shorts

Shakespeare Behind Bars & Illinois Youth Center – Chicago
Jason Boulware, The JJ Effect

2020

Due to COVID restrictions, the program was entirely virtual.

True to Yourself

 

2021

The program was face to face.

Life Thru My Eyes

 

2022

The program was face to face.

To be or Not To Be: That is the Question

 

2023

The program was face to face.

A Plague on Your Houses

 

Shakespeare Behind Bars programs at Illinois Youth Center – Chicago made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, Shakespeare in American Communities, Juvenile Justice Program, and administered by Arts Midwest.

Funding for Fifth Season (2023) was also provided by The Buck Foundation.

 

Fayette County Regional Juvenile Detention Center – Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children: Future Forward Education and Career Center and Shakespeare Behind Bars – Documentary Short

G. Reviews

Shakespeare Behind Bars, The Independent Critic
https://theindependentcritic.com/shakespeare_behind_bars

H. Films

Survivors Guide to Prison – Director Matt Cook
Featured appearance: Curt L. Tofteland, Founder, Shakespeare Behind Bars
Trailor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dubGnRmUXck

I Come From – a documentary by Director Robby Henson
Produced by: Curt L. Tofteland
Featured appearance: Curt L. Tofteland, Founder, Shakespeare Behind Bars

I. Creative Thinking Project/University of Auckland – Curt Tofteland, Creative Fellow

Creative Fellow Curt Tofteland

World Creativity and Innovation Week 2021 – University of Auckland Creative Fellows Panel


J. TEDx Talks

1. This Thing of Darkness, I Acknowledge Mine. TEDx East NYC – 2010

 

2. The Quality of Mercy, TEDx Macatawa – 2012

 

3. To Be Or Not To Be, That is the Question, TEDx Berkeley – 2013

 

4. The Better Angels of My Nature Versus the Lesser Demons of My Desire, TEDx Muskegon – 2016

K. Publications/Journals

1. ’Condemn the fault and not the actor of it?’ Moving beyond the limits of recidivism to enhancing (re)humanisation through a Shakespeare-focussed, prison-based approach by Laura Louise Nicklin – English in Education Research Journal of the National Association for the Teaching of English – 2023
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04250494.2023.2218880?src=

2. Make not your thoughts your prisons: Prison Shakespeare in the Real World [Blog] by Laura Louise Nicklin – Folger Shakespeare Library – 2021

https://spotlight.folger.edu/2021/03/01/make-not-your-thoughts-your-prisons-prison-shakespeare-in-the-real-world/

3. Shakespeare-itual Direction: A Spiritual Director’s Work with Shakespeare Behind Bars by Joseph Byrd – Presence Magazine – 2015

https://www.sdicompanions.org/media/presence/presence-journal-the-digital-archive/?sp=Jospeh+Byrd

4. Time Served in Prison Shakespeare by Niels Herold – University of Akron (2014)
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=spovsc

5. Adcoc, Samantha_Shakespeare Behind Bars_Like much theatre within the criminal justice system, the Shakespeare Behind Bars Project functions as an explorative rather than a regenerative process for the prisoners_INNERVATE Leading Undergraduate Work in English Studies, Volume 3 (2010-2011), pp. 364-370.

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/documents/innervate/10-11/1011adcockshakespeare.pdf

6. Time Served in Prison Shakespeare by Niels Herold – University of Akron (2014)

https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=spovsc

7. Circle of Trust by Curt L. Tofteland – California Shakespeare Theatre Website – New Directions in Dramaturgy Portal

The Circle of Trust

8. Brave New Worlds. Shakespearean Tempests in Italian Prisons, Mariancristina Cavecchi, Altre Modernits/Otras Modernidades/ Autres Modernites/ Other Modernities, University degli Studi di Milano

https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/AMonline/article/view/9174

9. Macbeth Behind Bars, Yu Jin Ko, Borrowers and Lenders: The journal of Shakespeare and Appropriation

https://borrowers-ojs-azsu.tdl.org/borrowers/article/view/135/267

10. Borrowers and Lenders: The Journal of Shakespeare and Appropriation
Chapter: Transformative Play in Pericles Behind Bars – Niels Herold,

https://borrowers-ojs-azsu.tdl.org/borrowers/article/download/214/425?inline=1

11. The Pursuit of Character, Pen America: The Freedom to Write – Hal Cobb, SBB Founder

The Pursuit of Character

12. Why Shakespeare Belongs In Prison: The incarcerated may be the Bard’s ideal modern audience, Karen Swallow Prior, The Atlantic

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/04/why-shakespeare-belongs-in-prison/361052/

13.  What’s in a Name? Developing Identity Through Shakespeare to Reduce Recidivism By Anne Comcowich; American University Washington College of Law; The Criminal Law Practitioner

https://www.crimlawpractitioner.org/post/what-s-in-a-name-developing-identity-through-shakespeare-to-reduce-recidivism

People who have been sentenced to time in prison are often treated as “others,” and our prison systems frequently fail to rehabilitate these offenders. Shakespeare in prison programs like the Shakespeare Behind Bars (SBB) program address this shortcoming by allowing participants to explore their identity. Despite the 6% recidivism rate seen amongst participants in SBB, the criminal legal system has not widely adopted this method of rehabilitation.

14.  Shakespeare Behind Bars: A Black Male Inmate Receives the Representation of a White Male Inmate By Alaysia Godfrey_SIGMA TAU DELTA Rectangle Journal of Creative Writing VOLUME 99, 2024_SIGMA TAU DELTA Review Journal of Critical Writing VOLUME 21, 2024

https://www.english.org/pdf/publications/sigmatd-journals-2024-final.pdf

In John Sloop’s book The Cultural Prison, he discusses the representation that certain inmates have had over a 100-year period and continue to have today. Two types of inmates who media often discuss are the white male inmate and the black male inmate. According to Sloop’s study, the white male inmate is represented as a person who is not inherently violent, has a humane side to him, and is a reliable worker; in contrast, the African-American male inmate is represented as a person who is inherently violent, does not show signs of humanity, and is not reliable when it comes to work (154, 164–65). Sloop states, “Society is prefigured to believe in the possibility of the white prisoner’s rehabilitation. As a result, African American and other ‘raced’ inmates are less likely to be represented as chosen for alternative forms of punishment” (154). Whereas these representations of white and black male inmates drastically differ, the white male inmate appears to be someone who can be redeemed, but the black male inmate is presented as one who cannot be redeemed from his mistakes.

Shakespeare Behind Bars, however, does not align with these representations; this documentary counters Sloop’s conclusion and challenges the popular narrative of the black male inmate by depicting one black inmate, Sammie, with the representation that a white male inmate would otherwise receive: a representation that consists of not being inherently violent, having a humane side, and being a reliable worker. In this way, the film producer allows Sammie’s character to surface and, in this way, to demonstrate his potential for redemption after his time in prison.

L. Publications/Books

1. Performing New Lives: Prison Theatre By Jonathan Shailor, Editor
Chapter 13: The Keeper of the Keys by Curt L. Tofteland

2. Shakespeare Survey 65 By Peter Holland, Editor
Chapter: Prospero Behind Bars by Curt L. Tofteland & Hal Cobb (page 429)

http://assets.cambridge.org/97811070/24519/frontmatter/9781107024519_frontmatter.pdf

3. The Possibility of Creativity By Peter Connor, Editor
Chapter Five: I was Built for Runnin’ but I Dream of Flyin’ by Curt L. Tofteland

4. The Tempest: Shakespeare in Performance By Richard Preiss, Editor
Chapter: As Performed: by Shakespeare Behind Bars at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky, 2003 by Curt L. Tofteland

5. Prison Shakespeare and the Purpose of Performance By Niels Herold

6. Prison Shakespeare: For these Deep Shames and Great Indignities By Rob Pensalfini

7. Performing Arts in Prisons: Creative Perspectives By Michael Balfour, Editor

8. Multisensory Shakespeare and Specialized Communities (Shakespeare and Social Justice) By Sheila T. Cavanagh

9.  Shakespeare in the Age of Mass Incarceration By Liz Fix & Gina Hausknecht, Editors; (Spotlight on Shakespeare), Routledge; Hope Needs to Be Loud: A Founding Member on Nearly 30 Years of Shakespeare Behind Bars by Hal Cobb; Within and Beyond: Shakespeare Behind/BEYOND Bars by Sammie Byron & Curt L. Tofteland

M. Awards

Shakespeare Goes to Prison: Holding the Transformative Mirror up to Nature: Responsibility, Forgiveness, and Redemption – Winner of University of Wyoming’s National 2010 Amy and Eric Burger Essays on Theatre Competition
http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2010/05/former-kentucky-artistic-director-wins-wyoming-national-theatre-essay-competition.html

N. Interviews

1.  Scandal Water Podcast, July, 2024

2. Sage Video conducted an interview about Shakespeare Behind Bars in 2023. The video presents clarity of content and simplicity of format around the core of an in-depth interview with Curt L. Tofteland, Founder of Shakespeare Behind Bars, offering insights into the pillars of Shakespeare Behind Bars’ vision, mission, philosophy, pedagogy, creative process, and artistic practice.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nxi0-zq0JEDmWa-5DbjgPNSCtKZkuvtY/view?usp=share_link

3. Tramatury Podcast. Loretta and Suzanne focus on the work being done in incarcerated communities this episode. From an in-depth interview with Dr Chris Matthews from Southern NH University to a discussion with the founder of Shakespeare Behind Bars, Curt Tofteland, about his work bringing theatre to inmates across the country.

https://www.traumaturgypodcast.com/podcast-1/episode/42518987/finding-ways-to-bring-trauma-informed-practices-to-prisons

4. The Arts and happiness Project – Shakespeare Behind Bars | Criminals acting . . . with Host Agathe Westad

https://www.artandhappinessproject.com/episodes/episode/47b8911a/shakespeare-behind-bars-or-criminals-acting-shakespeare-a-poignant-tale-of-humanity-and-redemption

5. Apocatastasis: An Institute for the Humanities – John Coleman, Host,

Interview 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2DSJSHs_K4&feature=youtu.be
Interview 2: https://www.bitchute.com/video/du0zshRRWpbz/

6. Episode 85 Podcast Conversation with host Greg Ott, June 7, 2021

https://www.latestpod.com/podcast/episode-85-take-it-on-the-manchin/

7. Conversation with Licia Sky. Trauma Research Foundation

8. The State of Shakespeare – Hosted by James Elliot and Gerritt Vander Meer – May 24, 2017

http://stateofshakespeare.com/?s=curt+l.+tofteland&searchsubmit=

9. Between the Butcher and the Block – podcast, episode 4

Search from where you get your podcasts.

10. Radio Interview with Bonnie North, WUWM 89.7 FM

https://www.wuwm.com/podcast/lake-effect-segments/2014-05-28/shakespeare-behind-bars

11. Interview with Host Marcus Smith, BYURadio Constant Wonder

https://www.byuradio.org/e6710786-da5f-4e58-8356-42e119fb6d9a

12. Interview with host Rhea Goodman of Living Juicy_Episode #46

http://rhea-goodman.squarespace.com/podcast/2005/12/26/curt-tofteland

13. The 2016 Creative Activism Virtual Summit – Rae Luskin Interview with Curt L. Tofteland

https://www.pr.com/press-release/680647

14. The University of Oregon continued their exploration of the theme of Justice during the 2016 winter term, beginning with the visit of Curt L. Tofteland, founder and prison arts practitioner of the internationally acclaimed Shakespeare Behind Bars (SBB) program, who was selected as the Tzedek Lecturer in the Humanities.

Tofteland gave an interview with the Oregon Humanities Center’s television program UO Today:

15. On the Eugene campus, his lecture was: “We Know Who We Are But Not Who We May Be”

16. On the Portland campus, his lecture was: “The Villainy You Teach Me: Mercy Seasoned with Justice or Mercy Seasoned with Revenge?”

17. State of Shakespeare

https://stateofshakespeare.com/?s=curt+tofteland&searchsubmit=

Interview with James Elliott & Gerritt Vandermeer. Is there a message of hope in the words that King Richard II speaks to us from his prison cell in the Tower of London? Our guest, Curt L. Tofteland, is the Founder of the internationally acclaimed Shakespeare Behind Bars program. In 22 years at the helm of SBB, Curt has discovered three noble truths: Humans need a Tribe, Humans need a Story and Humans need to Reflect. Using Shakespeare, Curt teaches the prisoners these truths and the question arises: did Shakespeare do any time?

18. Jepson Leadership Forum

19. To Be Or Not To Be: Lockdown Shakespeare, Episode 18 with host Andrew Smith

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/to-be-or-not-to-be-lockdown-shakespeare/id1529922392

20. Dramatic Redemption: Shakespeare Behind Bars, NPR with host Ed Gordon

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/5673246

O. Media Coverage of Shakespeare Behind Bars Programs

1. Shakespeare Heals: Prisoners Find Redemption Through Theater By Daniel Monaghan, New Tang Dynasty (NTD) News, 07.19.2024

https://www.ntd.com/shakespeare-heals-prisoners-find-redemption-through-theater_1005868.html

https://x.com/DanMonaghanNTD/status/1814161553039511898

2.  Shakespeare: “A Mentor for Love” Teaching Shakespeare in Prison, A Guest Post by Jack Heller, The Priory, March 19, 2024

https://karenswallowprior.substack.com/p/shakespeare-a-mentor-for-love?r=2xfs2d&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwAR0x2Plof6XTlSy4MbsyhbhyfJIThbfgB_xqGxl_M-0aiwpkrexo8Ea4u0A&triedRedirect=true

3. ’Someone shot, but the clock didn’t stop’: Learning Shakespeare and writing sonnets in youth prison By Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 11.30.2019

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-juvenile-detention-shakespeare-program-20191130-so7v7dxvnza7zms7l7tjtw5ty4-story.html

4. Shakespeare Behind Bars Brings the Bard’s Words to Captive Participants, Interesting Shit, March 2, 2017

https://medium.com/@interestingshit/shakespeare-behind-bars-brings-the-bards-words-to-captive-participants-abc27870b5b5

5. Shakespeare Behind Bars is Offering Prisoners Redemption by Amy Knueven Brownlee, Cincinnati Magazine

https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/features/shakespeare-behind-bars/

6. Review of All The World’s a Stage, Sonnets and Scenes by Shakespeare by Amy Scott-Douglass, Early Modern Literary Studies, 2005

https://extra.shu.ac.uk/emls/11-1/revatwas.html

7. Choosing to Be by Mary Wiltenburg and photos by Andy Nelson, Christian Science Monitor. 07.23.2002

https://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0723/p11s01-legn.html

8. Acting with Conviction by Mary Wiltenburg and Photos by Andy Nelson, Christian Science Monitor, 07.24.2001

https://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0724/p11s1.html

9. Amplified Voices: Lifting the Voices of People & Families Impacted by the Criminal Legal System

In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason speak with Melissa Tanis, a ferocious advocate for parole justice, compassionate release, and children of incarcerated parents. Melissa shares her story of having her father, Leonard Ford, founding member of Shakespeare Behind Bars, https://shakespearebehindbars.org/. Who was incarcerated when she was five years old and the impact that it had on her own life as well as the lives of her family members.
Melissa shares the emotional path she navigated to reconnect with her dad after many years of no contact. She authentically outlines her feelings and understanding of his complex journey through accountability – highlighting the harshness of a system that sees people and the sum of their crime, rather than as complex human beings with the ability to change. Melissa was able to find her father after many years through his participation in the Shakespeare Behind Bars program and the resulting documentary film, https://shakespearebehindbars.org/documentary/. After being denied parole and compassionate release based on the nature of his crime, her father passed away in prison.

Melissa is a graduate of Columbia School of Social Work, with a concentration on policy. She is in the Policy and Communications manager for the Center for justice at Columbia School of Social Work, https://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/people/melissa-tanis. She has worked for over five years in the Communications and Policy field and has dedicated her work to supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people and their families. She is a member and consultant for the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, https://rappcampaign.com/, an adviser for the New York initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents, https://youth.gov/collaboration-profiles/ny-initiative-coip, and a volunteer with the Parole Preparation Project.

9. Counter Punch

Those Most in Need Of Mercy: Why Melissa Tanis Works to Get Elders Out of Prison

Those Who Need Mercy the Most Deserve it the Least – Melissa Tanis, daughter of SBB founder Leonard Ford

P. Media Coverage of Voices Inside Playwriting Program

1. Story Unlikely: Voices Inside – Erika Lee Sengstack

https://sites.libsyn.com/462213/voices-inside-w-erika-lee-sengstack?fbclid=IwAR1WEZVkIZJytGNyTJngst6c31wuMU1_qtPhJOSj8OqN7jIJfI3FcSrZdN4

2. Never eat the candy on your pillow: Circle of trust by Derek Trumbo, Sr.

Never eat the candy on your pillow: Circle of trust

Q. Shax BEYOND Bars Coverage

1. Hope Church Adult Education 01.28.2024

R. Pre 2015 Media Coverage

2014

  • Shakespeare Behind Bars is the recipient of the 2014 Spirit of Prodigal Award, awarded by Prodigal Ministries.

2012

2011

  • Shakespeare in Prison: Dart Society Reports, text and audio by Mary Wiltenburg, photos and slideshow production by Andy Nelson/The Christian Science Monitor, January 2012
  • Kentucky inmates turned actors explore selves through Shakespeare play, Sean Rose, The Courier-Journal, June 16, 2011
  • ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’ to be screened at Holy Spirit, by Allyssa Harvey, Bowling Green Daily News, March 31, 2011
  • Shakespeare’s Works Used to Educate, Rehabilitate, Tony Sauro, The Stockton Record, March 22, 2011
  • Generation Next 2011: Matt Wallace, Erin Keane, The Courier-Journal Velocity Magazine, February, 2011
  • A Different Kind of Shepherd – Spotlight Interview on Shakespeare Behind Bars’ Matt Wallace, David N. Harding, The Observer, January 2011
  • Performing Prisoners, Andrea Sisney, The Journal: The news Source for Webster University, January 18, 2011

2010

  • A Chance for Prisoners to Act Like Human Beings, Wendy Jason, Change.org, December, 2010

2009

  • Shakespeare Behind Bars: Theater group’s artistic director sees connection with prison inmates, Catherine M. Olivetto,
    Lakes Region Free Press, July 24, 2009
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars: Prison inmates bring personal experiences to the taled of ‘Macbeth’, John Foster,
    The Oldham Era, May 21, 2009
  • THEATRE CHAT: Man behind ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’ project shares his insights, Anthony Del Valle,
    Las Vegas Review-Journal, May 08, 2009
  • Curt Tofteland brings Shakespeare project to Etown, Patricia Congelosi, The Etownian, January 29, 2009
  • Jail Bard, Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era, January 15, 2009
  • Theater nurtures spirit of prison population, Anthony Del Valle, Las Vegas Review-Journal, January 16, 2009

2008

  • Pages: World War II’s mass murder still casts shadow: Alain Resnais’s Night and Fog and other Films (Shakespeare Behind Bars), Daniel Garrett, Compulsive Reader
  • “Shakespeare Behind Bars” offers positive insight into inmates, Kelly Grab, The Comenian, October 23, 2008
  • Documentary focus on prison production of ‘The Tempest’, Kelly Durbin, Suburban Lifestyles Community Newspaper, February 18, 2008

2007

  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Film Notes, Kevin Hagopian, New York State Writers Institute
  • Shakespeare speaks to inmates, Jack Heller, The Journal Gazette, December 29, 2007
  • The Shakespeare Redemption, Zoneil Maharaj, The Record, December 06, 2007
  • English professor shows students The Bard behind the bars, Jessica Trumbull, The Denisonian, Denison University, November 11, 2007
  • Heller to Speak for incarcerated actors: Students and staff get fresh perspective with “Shakespeare Behind Bars’, Lynette Miller,Huntingtonian, Huntington University, October 11, 2007
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Sunshine Coast Film Society, April 24, 2007
  • Thirteen Essential Southern Documentaries, Part II:  What You Should Be Watching, Shakespeare Behind Bars, Mike Powell, The Oxford American, Issue 56, April, 2007
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars: On Crime and Punishment, Literature, and Film Technology, Danel Garrett, Cinetext: film and philosophy, University of Vienna, April 2007
  • Shakespeare Inside: The Bard Behind Bars, Amy Scott-Douglass, Shakespeare NOW Series, April, 2007
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Elizabeth Dugan, By-Polar, April 2007
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Siel, green LA girl, March 24, 2007
  • Redemption, Kris Haig, Presbyterians Today, March 2007
  • Choosing the Rarer Virtue: Shakespeare Behind Bars, Cindi Di Marzo, Studio-Online, January 4, 2007
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Adrian Butcher, PBS 106.7FM – Real Radio, 2007
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Scott Macdonald, Eye For Film, 2007

2006

  • Rounding out 2006 with a cinematic Top 10, Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times, December 29, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jeff Berg, Local IQ Albuquerque’s Intelligent Alternative, December 1, 2006
  • Shakespeare WITH CONVICTION, Brian Doxtader, The Observer: The Independent Newspaper serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s, October 5, 2006
  • Flicks: Shakespeare Behind Bars, DVD Review, Chris Dashiell, KXCI 91.3 FM, August 25, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, News & Notes with Ed Gordon, National Public Radio, August 21, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Stefan, Pop Syndicate, August 16, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jake Meany, DVD Review, PopMatters, August 11, 2006
  • Shakesespeare program can turn inmates lives around, James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette, August 6, 2006
  • A Tempest Brewing:  Behind these prison bars, you’ll find murderers and Shakespeare, Anne Marie Welsh, DVD Review, San Diego Union-Tribune, August 4, 2006
  • You’ve read the classic, now see the movie: The Bard, Shaw and ‘Tristram Shandy’ make it to small screen, John DeFore, DVD Review , American-Statesman, August 4, 2006
  • For Theses Actors, Roles Of a Lifetime, Scott Vogel, DVD Review, Washington Post, August 4, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, WMUK 102.1, Kalamazoo, MI, August 3, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, The Nonchalant Cafe Hour with Steve Davy, WIDR 89.1 FM, Kalamazoo, MI, August 4, 2006
  • Waking the mind Filmmaker documents transforming effect of prison theatre program, James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette, August 2, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, DVD Review, Jonathan Baylis, The Trades, August 1, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Marrit Ingman, DVD Review, The Austin Chronicle, July 28, 2006
  • Real-life Prison Drama Shakespeare Behind Bars Reveals Dreams Lost and Found, Jamie Gumbrecht, DVD Review, Lexington Herald-Leader, July 28, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jeff Tuckman, DVD Review, Chicago Daily Times, July 21, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, DVD Review, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, July 21, 2006
  • Drowned Men, Alistair Highet, DVD Review, Hartford Advocate, July 20, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Chris Hicks, DVD Review, Desert Morning News, July 20, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Oklahoma Gazette, July 19, 2006
  • Bard behind bars: Inmates tackle Shakespeare, Louis R. Carlozo, DVD Review, Chicago Tribune, July 18, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Bob Friedland, DVD Review, DVD Fanatic, July 18, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, DVD Reviews, July 17, 2006
  • Shakespeare Flourishes Behind Bars: Inmates find redemption in actor’s documentary, Lauren Horwitch, Backstage West, July 13, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Talk of the Bay, KUSP 89.9 FM, Central Coast Public Radio, July 13, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Bret McCabe, DVD Review, Baltimore City Paper, July 12, 2006
  • Breaking Down the Walls, Laura Mattingly, MetroSantaCruz, July 12, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Dallas Dobrow Show, KPIG 107.5 FM, July 11, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars: Documentary shows the healing power of live theatre, Richard Mahler, Film Review, Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 7, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars: A documentary at the Rio brings the Bard to prisoners, Christa Martin, Film Review, Good Times Weekly, July 6, 2006
  • Documentary follows prison production of Tempest, Ed Blank, Film Review, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 22, 2006
  • Actors replay their crimes in Shakespeare Behind Bars, Barry Paris, Film Review, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 22, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Mike Hogan, Film Review, From the Park to the Yard, May 22, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Peter Rainer, Film Review, Christian Science Monitor, May 19, 2006
  • Bardsploitation, parts 1 & 2, Matilda T. Zombie Queen, Telecommuniculturey, May 15, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Diane Carson, Film Review, KDHX, May 12, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Michael Wilmington, Film Review, Chicago Tribune, May 12, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, J.R. Jones, Film Review, Chicago Reader, May 12, 2006
  • “Shakespeare Behind Bars’”gives insight into inmates as they prepare to perform “Tempest”, Kevin Crust, Film Review, Los Angeles Times, May 12, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jessica Winter, Film Review, LA Weekly, May 10, 2006
  • A Documentary Chronicles Inmates Finding Redemption in the Bard, Wesley Morris, Film Review, The Boston Globe, May 5, 2006
  • Inmates do Bard time, find redemption in Shakespeare, James Verniere, Film Review, Boston Herald, May 5, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Nina Maclaughlin, Film Review, The Phoenix, May 3, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary, Here and Now, Robin Young, Host, WBUR, Boston, MA, May 3, 2006
  • Troupe of killers: ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’ documentary opens, David Lamble, Film Review, Bay Area Reporter, April 20, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Nick Fraser, Film Review, Storyville BBC Four, April 18, 2006
  • ‘Shakespeare’ breaks through prison walls: Documentary captures convicts as they become part of art they perform, Moira Macdonald, Film Review, Contra Costa Times, April 14, 2004
  • Prison tales: Bard time in the Big House, Mike Russell, Film Review, The Oregonian, April 14, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Walter Addiego, Film Review, San Francisco Chronicle, April 14, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Michelle Devereaux, Film Review, San Francisco Guardian, April 14, 2006
  • Straining the quality of mercy, Michael Booth, Film Review, Denver Post, April 14, 2006
  • Moving Pictures: Seeking Redemption in the Words of the Bard, Justin DeFreitas, Film Review, Berkeley Daily Planet, April 13, 2006
  • Barred Bard: A Cast of Convicts Puts on Shakespeare, Justin Sanders, Film Review, The Portland Mercury, April 13, 2006
  • Barred Bard: Who knew Shakespeare was so good at rehabilitation?, Luke Y. Thompson, DVD Review, Denver Westword, April 13, 2006
  • Inmates ‘Tempest’ is inspiring to see, Phil Villarreal, Film Review, Arizona Daily Star, April 13, 2006
  • Prisoners re-enact Shakespeare plays: Director believes art has “healing power”, Phoebe Gaston, Wittenberg Torch, April 13, 2006
  • All the World’s A Stage: Shakespeare Behind Bars finds prisoners seeking redemption Through Theatre, David Walker, Film Review, Willamette Week Online, April 12, 2006
  • Barred Bard: Who knew Shakespeare was so good at rehabilitation?, Luke Y. Thompson, Film Review, East Bay Express, April 12, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Kim Owens, Film Review, Kaffeine Buzz, April 11, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars: A Documentary chronicles inmates finding redemption in the Bard, Wesley Morris, Film Review,Boston Globe, April 5, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jeff Meyers, Film Review, MetroTimes, detroit’s weekly alternative, April 5, 2006
  • Wisconsin Film Festival 2006: Shakespeare Behind Bars, Linda Falkenstein, Film Review, The Daily Page, April 2, 2006
  • Bringing the Bard to the Big House, Robert Horton, Film Review, Everett Herald, March 31, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars: Convicts doing The Tempest feel the power of art, Moira Macdonald, Film Review, The Seattle Times, March 31, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars shows the power of art to redeem, Bill White, Film Review, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 31, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Matt Singer, Film Review, Seattle Weekly, March 29, 2006
  • Bard Enchants Behind Bars, John Heilpern, Film Review, New York Observer, March 27, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, The Bob Edwards Show, XM Satellite Radio, March 22, 2006
  • Shakespeare Redemption, Nicholas Butler Film Review, The Lumiere Reader, March 16, 2006
  • ‘Tempest’ Brings Criminals To Tears: The Longest Bard, Kyle Smith, Film Review, New York Post, March 10, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jami Bernard, Film Review, New York Dailey News, March 10, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Ken Fox, Film Review, TVGuide.Com, March 10, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jan Stuart, Film Review, Newsday, March 10, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jeannette Catsoulis, Film in Review, New York Times, March 10, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Film Review, Moviecentre.net, March 10, 2006
  • Redemption With The Bard, Jonathan W. Hickman, Film Review, Entertainment Insiders, March 9, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Matt Singer, Film Review, Village Voice, March 7, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Frederick and Mary Ann Brussat, Film Review, Spirituality Practice, March 3, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary, Philomath Films, Views of Justice Film Series, Creative Alliance at the Patterson, Boston, MA, February 23, 2006
  • ‘Shakespeare’ details inmates’ theater program, Judith Salkin, Film Review, The Desert Sun, January 13, 2006
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary, Philomath Films, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs, CA, January 5 – 16, 2006

2005

  • Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary, Living Juicy, Rhea Goodman, Host, KSFR, Santa Fe Public Radio, December 26, 2005
  • Bard Not Barred Behind Bars: LaGrange theatre program is renowned, Text by Beth Musgrave, Photos by Mark Cornelison,Lexington Herald-Leader, December 24, 2005
  • A Tempest in a cellblock, Robert Nott, The New Mexican, December 2, 2005
  • Art helps inmates with reality in Shakespeare Behind Bars, Gary Panetta, Peoria Journal Star, Journal Star Arts & Entertainment, November 27, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars – documentary – Rogerson’s Look Inside the Hearts and Minds of Unusual Shakespeare Scholars, Patricia Freeman, Film Review, Independent Film.com, November 22, 2005
  • Exploring the Bard ‘behind bars’, Dan Moccia-Field, The Williams Record, Arts, November 2, 2005
  • The Living Timeless Power of Shakespeare, The Marc Steiner Show, WYPR, Maryland Public Radio, October 20, 2005
  • Hope College events dominate arts & entertainment scene, The Holland Sentinel,
    A-list: the area’s best bets, Life & Styles, October 13, 2005
  • Moving you truly: 14 years of Heartland, Jennifer Dawson, Nuvo, October 12, 2005
  • Lakeland Resident Helps Bring Award Winning Film To Holland, The Local Observer, October 12, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, It’s All Over Town, The Local Observer, October 5, 2005
  • Theatre prof brings Shakespeare to inmates, Text by Nicholas Engel, Photo by Hank Rogerson, The Anchor, VOL. 119 NO. 5, October 5, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Film Review, Kirk Melnikoff, Shakespeare on Film, Shakespeare Bulletin, volume 23, number 3, Fall 2005
  • Filmmakers to appear at screening of ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’, The Holland Sentinel, Life & Styles, September 29, 2005
  • Film finds lessons of forgiveness in prisoners, Stewart Oksenhorn, The Aspen Times, September 29, 2005
  • Aspen Filmfest filmmakers show how creativity can come from chaos: Couple captures acting on the ‘inside  with prison troupe, April E. Clark, Glenwood Post Independent, September 23, 2005
  • Goin’ Round to Bend: The Bend Film Festival’s impressive lineup is worth the trip, David Walker, Willamette Week Online, September 21, 2005
  • Kentucky stars in Oldham’s indie film festival, Text by Judith Egerton, photo by Hank Rogerson, Courier-Journal, Extra, September 9, 2005
  • ‘For prisoners, Shakespeare is a litmus test of character, Movie Review, Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary, Philomath Films, Helen Barnes, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 2, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars’ follows 20 inmates over 37-week period, Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary, Philomath Films, Helen McKinney, Round About Entertainment Guide, September 1, 2005
  • ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’ on film fest list, Shakespeare Behind Bars Documentary, Philomath Films, Don Ward & Helen McKinney,Round About Entertainment Guide, September 1, 2005
  • Doc Watcher:  Shakespeare Behind Bars, First Look, Brooke Hauser, Premiere, The Movie Magazine, July/August, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Tapped In Alt/Correctional Educators Forum, June 19, 2005
  • The Bard in the Yard, Text by Keith Pandolfi, Photos by Fred Hayes & Curt L. Tofteland, Stage Directions, June 2005
  • All the World’s a Stage, theatrical review by Amy Scott-Douglass, Photos by Curt L. Tofteland, Early Modern Literary Studies, 11.1, May, 2005
  • IFFB: Shakespeare Behind Bars Reviewed, Peter Sciretta, Cinematical, April 25, 2005
  • Bard Behind Bars Documentary, The Connection, Dick Gordon, Host, WBUR Boston, National Public Radio, April 21, 2005
  • James Wesley Stemple \ Shakespeare Behind Bars, Emily Blunt, Blunt Soundtrack Review, April 2005
  • Documentary Shakespeare Behind Bars graces screens of Sundance, Text by Adam Peterson, Photo by Curt L. Tofteland,Quadrangle, March 2005
  • Experience forced prisoner to analyze relationship, Text by Hal Cobb, Photo by Curt L. Tofteland, Quadrangle, March 2005
  • Report from Sundance 2005: Documentaries in Action, an interview with Hank Rogerson, director of the Shakespeare Behind BarsDocumentary, Harriette Yahr, Media Rights, February 15, 2005
  • Docs, Good for What Ails Us?, Pat Aufderheide, Washington Post, February 13, 2005
  • 2005 Sundance Festival: The Documentaries, Tony, The Evangelist – Blogg, February 9, 2005
  • Here Comes Sundance 2005, Gregory Kirschling & Joshua Rich, Entertainment Weekly, February 5. 2005
  • Shakespeare at Sundance, Text by Judy Egerton, Photos by Fred Hayes, Courier Journal, Scene, February 5, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Bill Aho, Sundance Movie Reviews & Other Park City Observations, February 5, 2005
  • Sundance Film Festival buffs enjoy ‘visual literature’, Suzi Bartholomy, Messenger-Inquirer.com, February 2, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, James Greenberg, The Hollywood Reporter.com, January 31, 2005
  • Bars and the Bard, Kurt Bester, Overstock.Com Sundance Film Review Blogg, January 30, 2005
  • ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars:’ Prison Rehab, Jana McQuay, The Park Record, Scene, January 29, 2005
  • Docs Rock Sundance, Pat Aufderheide, In These Times, January 28, 2005
  • Documentary Focuses on Shakespeare’s Influence in Prison, Carole Mikita, KSL TV 5, January 25, 2005
  • Film’s stars captivated by the Bard, Lee Bensen, Desert Morning News, January 24, 2005
  • A festival of dissent comes of age, Liam Lacey, The Globe and Mail, January 22, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jeremy Mathews, Film Threat.com, January 22, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Joe Leydon, Variety, January 21, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Jonathan W. Hickman, Capsule Reviews Day One, Entertainment Insiders, January 21, 2005
  • The Real Thing, Film Festivals and the Documentary Boom, Scott Renshaw, Salt Lake City Weekly, January 20, 2005
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Laura Deni, Broadway to Vegas Website, January 2, 2005
  • Transcending Shakespeare, Richard Propes, Independent Critics.com, 2007

2004

  • Shakespeare Behind Bars:  Luther Luckett program draws national attention, Text & Photos by Kathleen Adams, The Oldham Era, December 27, 2004
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Correspondent Adam Neft, Radio Wire Service, December, 2004
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Correspondent Bruce Burkhart, Paula Zahn Show, CNN, December 21, 2004
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars heads for Sundance, Text by Judith Egerton, Photos by Philomath Films,  Courier-Journal, Arts & Leisure, December 19, 2004
  • Shakespear in Prison, Correspondent Eric Flack, WAVE 3 TV, Louisville, KY,  December 15, 2004
  • The Bard’s work is simply arresting, Beth Musgrave, Lexington Herald-Leader, December 14, 2004
  • STAGE TO SCREEN:  Getting “Closer” ***Sundance Film Festival in January, Eric Grode, Playbill, December 5, 2004
  • Shakespeare and Re-Entry, Caity Baxter, Re-Entry and Culture Blogg, December 3, 2004
  • Sundance Announces Festival Offerings, Sharon Waxman, The Arts, Briefly, The New York Times, Compiled by Ben Sisario, November 30, 2004
  • Julius Caesar, theatrical review by Amy Scott-Douglass, Shakespeare Bulletin, Volume 23, Number 3, Fall 2004
  • The NEA’s Shakespeare Initiative, Correspondent Elizabeth Blair, Weekend Edition with Scott Simon, National Public Radio,June 19, 2004
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Interview with Curt L. Tofteland by Kent R. Brown, Dramatic Publishing Web Site Home Page, April 1, 2004
  • The Inside Job: Curt Tofteland & Shakespeare Behind Bars, Gabriel’s Blast, Text by Alicia Tolbert, Photo by Pam Spaulding, Volume II – Number 1, Winter, 2003-2004

2003

  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Tapped In Alt/Correctional Educators Forum, September 23, 2003
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Correspondent Laurie Hibberd, The Early Show, CBS, June 19, 2003
  • BARD BEHIND BARS, Theatre Helps Inmates Reenter Society, Kathi Ellis, Southern Theatre, Volume XLIV Number 3, Summer 2003
  • A Modest Disposal, The News Hole, John Reed, New York Press, February 26 – March 4, 2003
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, In-flight Service, CNN, February 24 – March 24, 2003
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Correspondent Bruce Burkhart, The Live Show, CNN, February 13, 2003
  • Art Behind Bars, Correspondent Julie Kredens, State of Affairs, WPFL 89.3, Louisville, KY, January 2003

2002

  • Acting with Conviction, Kentucky inmates perform Shakespeare behind bars, Text by Ron Humphrey, Photos by Andy Nelson, The Christian Science Monitor, Inside Journal, The Hometown Newspaper of America’s Prisoners, November/December 2002
  • When the money goes, so does the art, Amy Richard, Ashland Daily Tidings, September 26, 2002
  • Bard Behind Bars, Christina Smith, Lexington Herald-Leader, September 2, 2002
  • Prisoners find direction in Shakespeare Behind Bars, Christina Smith, The State Journal, July 28, 2002
  • Choosing ‘To Be’, Text by Mary Wiltenburg, Photos by Andy Nelson, The Christian Science Monitor, July 23, 2002
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Good Authority, KET II TV Channel 15, Louisville, KY, May 28, 2002
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Correspondent Barry Bernson, WHAS 11 TV, Louisville, KY, May 17, 18, 20, 2002.  **Awarded a Regional Emmy for Feature News Story – Entertainment from the Midwest Chapter of the National Television Academy in April 2003.
  • The Bard Behind Bars, Text by Judith Egerton, Photos by Pam Spaulding,  Courier-Journal, Arts & Leisure, May 12, 2002
  • Shakespeare Teaches Inmates in the United States, Arthur Ituassu, Jornal Do Brasil (Brazilian Newspaper), February 10, 2002
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, John Derringer Show, CILQ FM 107, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, January 30. 2002

2001

  • The Shakespeare Redemption, Text by Helen Zelon, Photos by John Nation & Andy Nelson, American Theatre Magazine, October 2001
  • Shakespeare Behind Bars, Conversations with Jean Feraca, Wisconsin Public Radio, August 21, 2001
  • Acting with Conviction, Text by Mary Wiltenburg, Photos by Andy Nelson, The Christian Science Monitor, July 24, 2001

1999

  • The Bard Behind Bars, Text by Kevin Gibson, Photos by Chris Davis, Louisville Eccentric Observer, December 22, 1999

1996

  • The Bard Behind Bars, Text by Susan Gosselin, Photos by John Nation, Louisville Magazine, Volume 47, Number 10, October 1996
  • The Plays the Thing for Luckett Inmates, Text & Photos by Jason Dattilo, LaGrange Press, July 18, 1996
  • Bard Behind Bars, Associated Press, Lexington Herald-Leader, July 11, 1996
  • Inmates Confront Emotions by Performing Shakespeare, Text by John Voskuhl, Photos by James H. Wallace, Courier-Journal, Metro Section, July 9, 1996
  • John Voskuhl, Photos by James H. Wallace, Courier-Journal, Metro Section, July 9, 1996