Poetic Justice Project Awarded Arts Grants for Prison Play

SANTA MARIA, CA – The Poetic Justice Project has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the California State Arts Council and the LEF Foundation to take their new play, OFF THE HOOK, on a tour of prison towns beginning next month. The play, set in a California prison, features a cast of formerly incarcerated people, including Alaska Native film star Pius Savage, who plays shaman poet Sparrow Hawk. Mr. Savage’s films include SPIRIT OF THE WIND (later renamed ATTLA), WHITE FANG, BLACK FEATHER, OUT OF THE WILDERNESS and EDGE OF THE WORLD.

A program of the William James Association, based in Santa Cruz, Poetic Justice Project produces original theatre on the Central Coast that examines crime, punishment and redemption. The Project has received a National Endowment for the Arts “Challenge America” grant, a California State Arts Council “Creating Public Value” grant and funding from the LEF Foundation to its Prison Town Tour. The ensemble musical/drama will travel to Sacramento, Fresno, Salinas, Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Redding, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Written by Poetic Justice Project’s artistic director Deborah Tobola, OFF THE HOOK examines the ever-present threat of violence and racial segregation in prison. Separation from family, the danger of becoming too close to others and, finally, the triumph of the human spirit come to life in OFF THE HOOK. All performances will be followed by talkbacks with the audiences.

Bill McLaughlin, a professional actor and director with more than 30 years’ experience in stage and film, is directing the play. The Poetic Justice Project Prison Town Tour opens at The Empty Stage in Bakersfield on Friday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m., with a matinee Saturday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m.  at the Beekay Theatre in Tehachapi. OFF THE HOOK plays again at The Empty Space on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, available at brownpapertickets.com.