Four ex-inmates are using their lives behind bars as fodder for the theater, and they’ll perform a dramatic rendition of their years in the clink Tuesday in Long Island City.
The play, The Castle II, follows four ex-cons as they share stories about their prison stints and reentry into society.
“It makes good theater because it’s good drama,” said David Rothenberg, founder of the prisoner advocacy group Fortune Society, which organized the fest. “The play demonstrates that people can come back and reclaim their lives.”
The actors say that by telling their stories through the play in community centers, churches and prisons, they hope to show others that it’s possible to turn a life around.
“I’m hoping that a lot of people who have some of the issues that I had can see that it’s alright,” said Victor Rojas, 49, who will talk about his 13 years as a prisoner at the Clinton, Sing Sing and Great Meadow correctional facilities, all for drug-related crimes.
The Castle II marks the second day of the annual festival, which will include a one-man show, improv comedy workshop and dramatic readings by formerly incarcerated performers.
