Unlocking and Womenstate – the collective character of theatre work of persons deprived of freedom

Agnieszka Bresler

Abstract

Agnieszka Blesler, who has been running therapeutic projects in prisons: Unlocking and Womenstate, presents a method used in theatre practice in Polish prisons, both male (Wrocław) and female (Krzywaniec). It involves a combination of and necessary complementarity between individual and group effects. Describing the stages of the work suggested to the theatre groups in prisons, Bresler points out those moments in the creative process that were associated with crisis situations and required a collective search for solutions. In many situations, it eventually turned out that difficult moments, adverse circumstances and some difficulties (not stopping the work though) strengthened the groups and helped them to achieve another level in artistic work. The paradox is that the limiting factors stimulated not only individual creators, but also the relationships between them. According to the author, the theatre created in prison acts as a bridge, owing to which the person who is serving a prison sentence can be seen in a different light and can actually return to society after leaving prison. Within the practice the author has described theatre is primarily an effective instrument for individual transformation. It also enables the reconstruction of positive interpersonal relationships. Theatre can alter the attitude of society towards prison inmates and those leaving prisons. The author emphasizes the hugely positive meaning of the presentation of productions created in prisons outside of them, at large, and outside the context of prison art.