Shakespeare in prisons conference, Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, Friday 23rd–25th March 2018

Abstract

This is the third bi-annual conference of Shakespeare in Prisons since its inaugural start at University of Notre Dame in 2013. Impressively hosted by the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, the conference highlighted the extraordinary phenomena of Shakespeare behind bars in the USA with over 120 delegates many of whom were engaged in delivering Shakespeare projects in prisons. The sheer scale and range of Shakespeare work dwarf’s other forms and approaches to prison theatre in the USA, and it wouldn’t be immodest to call this a growing movement. Following a moving opening ceremony honouring indigenous people, led by Mickey Turtle (member of the Tacqui and Mexica Nations) Barry Edelstein, artistic director of the Old Globe, provided a warm and eloquent address arguing for the public value of art, and highlighted the Globe’s rich and committed arts outreach programmes, led by Freedome Bradley-Ballentine (co-convenor of the conference).