BEFORE TIME/AFTER TIME
CLAIMING THE JUSTICE NARRATIVE PROJECT
2021-PRESENT
Before Time/After Time is a film produced as the culmination of the Claiming the Justice Narrative media and advocacy project, which seeks to support recent incursions in the felony court space by furthering alternatives to incarceration policy shifts.
Beginning in the fall of 2021, twenty system-impacted people participated in eight workshops led by teaching artists from four organizations: Recess, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, Dances for Solidarity, and The Phoenix Players Theatre Group. During these sessions, participants were introduced to various performance techniques in movement, improvisation, and autobiographical storytelling.
Funded by a grant from the ART FOR JUSTICE FUND, A sponsored project of The ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS
The Society for the Humanities at Cornell University and the JC Flowers Foundation.
In Partnership with Recess, TONYC, The Phoenix Players, Dances for Solidarity, The confined Arts.
Additional support provided by:
Nine individuals were available at the conclusion of the workshops to start the process of creating an autobiographical performance piece. Beginning in late January of 2022, participants met in both virtual and hybrid settings once a week, facilitated by AJSC collaborators. Through prompts, storytelling, improvisation, and written submissions, we developed a script that focuses on incarceration and its effects, early trauma, post-release issues, and the personal histories and events that lead to individuals becoming justice impacted.
PROJECT TIMELINE AND PHASES
The resulting short film, Before Time/After Time, takes the audience on a journey through the lives of nine returned citizens. They share with us fragments of their lives before and after incarceration. These fragments explore turning points in the lives of our collaborators, beginning in childhood, that, when viewed from the perspective of the present, create a direct line to the events that lead to system involvement. Other segments of our piece make evident the remorse felt by those who have done harm and the redemption they seek. The piece delves into the challenges of “coming home” and the effort it takes to survive “on the outside.” The piece is a tribute to the resilience, compassion, and generosity of those whose stories make up the devised text. And finally, the piece, and the process that created it, is an example of the kinds of communities that the arts can create at almost any age—communities where self-realization, shared goals and transformation are made possible.
HOPE DIED TODAY
EPILOGUE
FILM CREDITS
Before Time/After Time
A film by the Arts Justice Safety Coalition
Funded by a grant from the ART FOR JUSTICE FUND, A sponsored project of The ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS
Additional support provided by:
The Society for the Humanities at Cornell University and the JC Flowers Foundation.
In Partnership with Recess, TONYC, The Phoenix Players, Dances for Solidarity, The confined Arts
Project Leaders:
Isaac Scott, Bruce Levitt, Shaun Leonardo
THE ENSEMBLE (in order of appearance*):
Richard Paul
Betsy Ramos
Donte Shearin
Daniel Kelly
Chermaine Black
Wanda Valez
Miss Sparks
Naquasia Pollard
Rafael Almeyda
DEVISING FACILITATORS
Bruce Levitt
Glenn Quentin
Hannah Viederman
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Isaac Scott
Glenn Quentin
ADDITIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
Glenn Quentin
Hannah Viederman
Various via ZOOM
SCRIPT ASSEMBLAGE
Bruce Levitt
Glenn Quentin
Hannah Viederman
EDITING TEXT
Bruce Levitt
FILM EDITING
Well Said Media
Rehearsal facilities and consulting provided by TONYC
Special Thanks:
TONYC: Omari Soulfinger, Liz Morgan, Sulu LeoNimm, Adama Diallo, Amorarey Sandoz
Recess: Jackie Chang,
MT Zion AME, Reverend Kahlil G. James
The Confined Arts: Gabrielle Doran
Broadway Advocacy Coalition’s Theater of Change course
All ensemble members were compensated for their participation in worships, devising sessions and the filming for this project.
And a very special thanks to Shuree whose recording of Oh, Freedom is used with permission of the artist.
We intend to spark a national movement toward artistic alternatives to incarceration through shared knowledge and coordinated effort with shared best practices. Central to the project is the dissemination of new narratives about the precursors to mass incarceration, the long-term traumatic effects of incarceration, and the challenges of returning home after incarceration. And finally, we hope to inspire the inclusion of such work in schools, community groups, youth organizations, and all those who provide services to families, to take up this process to create a true alternative to incarceration—intervention and interdiction before harm happens.