Empowering Incarcerated Youth: Creative Writing Program in Lexington, Kentucky

 Introduction:

In Lexington, Kentucky, a creative writing program within juvenile detention centers is transforming the lives of incarcerated youth while combating recidivism. Through the medium of 10-minute plays, this initiative provides a platform for self-expression, fosters critical thinking, and cultivates empathy among participants.

 Program Overview:

The creative writing program operates within juvenile detention centers in Lexington, Kentucky, offering a structured curriculum focused on developing writing skills and creating theatrical productions of all types. Led by experienced facilitators, the program encourages participants to explore personal narratives, imagination, and social issues through the art of storytelling and creative writing.

 Objectives:

Reducing Recidivism: By engaging incarcerated youth in meaningful creative activities, the program aims to lower recidivism rates by providing participants with valuable skills, confidence, and alternative means of self-expression.

Empowering Voices: Through writing and performing through various styles of creative writing, the program empowers participants to voice their experiences, perspectives, and aspirations, fostering a sense of agency and identity.

Building Community: Collaborative writing and theater productions create a sense of camaraderie and mutual support among participants, strengthening social bonds and promoting positive behavior within the detention centers.

 Curriculum:

The curriculum integrates elements of creative writing, theater arts, and production standards. Participants engage in writing exercises, workshops, acting, group discussions on themes such as identity, belonging, and resilience, and an actual showcase performance. The culmination of the program focuses on the creation and staging of original 10-minute plays, addressing issues relevant to the participants’ lives and communities, but goes beyond that with music writing styles, Improv workshops, Shakespeare, and much more. 

 Impact:

Creative writing programs for adults in Kentucky have demonstrated promising results in empowering the incarcerated and reducing recidivism rates. Participants report increased self-esteem, improved communication skills, and a greater sense of purpose. We believe that a program focused on the youth in Kentucky can be even more impactful. Furthermore, the community benefits from thought-provoking theatrical productions that raise awareness of juvenile justice issues and promote empathy and understanding.

 Future Directions:

As the program evolves, organizers aim to expand its reach to more juvenile detention centers in Kentucky and explore opportunities for collaboration with local theaters, schools, and community organizations. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop post-release support networks and opportunities for continued engagement in the arts for program alumni.

 Conclusion:

Antagonist Productions creative writing program in Lexington, Kentucky, hopes to stand as a beacon of hope and transformation for incarcerated youth, offering a pathway to self-discovery, personal growth, and social change. By harnessing the power of storytelling and theater, this initiative not only nurtures artistic expression but also fosters resilience, empathy, and community connection among its participants, paving the way for a brighter future beyond the confines of detention.

“This opportunity encourages us to learn about subjects that can benefit us not only while we are incarcerated, but when we rejoin society. Many of us only have what we have learned prior to prison, or in prison. So any opportunity to learn and grow is tremendously beneficial and appreciated!”
— Denny

“Before this program, I was more likely to argue and engage in nonproductive behavior that quite possibly could have led to some very negative outcomes. Through this class, and its teachings, I have learned not only how to express myself, but also how to communicate my thoughts and ambitions well enough to other people, to the point where I no longer have to rely on anger and frustration.”
— Derek

“How does one adequately ever thank another human being for basically making you whole again, and by extension, giving your life back to you?”
— Rickie

“So thank you, for giving me something I didn’t even know I needed. This experience will forever be a part of my life.”
— Stubby 

 Contact:

Ian Scott / Program Director

Antagonist Productions

(859)554-5022

antagonistproductionslex@gmail.com

 Antagonist Productions has been a part of The Voices Inside since 2017 when we launched the first ever production of I Come From, a series of plays from the voices inside, where we took nine of the plays we had worked on in the class and put on a full production in Lexington, KY. Which led to a five show tour inside of 5 different Kentucky Prisons. In 2018, the very next year, we brought new plays to a bigger audience in our second installment of I Come From. Unfortunately we were unable to bring the show to a live audience from 2019-2022 but we brought it way back in March 2023 when we sold out The Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center in Lexington,KY with 9 new plays brought to us from The Voices Inside. We continued to bring this production to Central Kentucky in 2024 and I Come From 5 is already slated for September 2025.

“POWERFUL – INSIGHTFUL – THOUGHT PROVOKING – HUMANIZING – NEEDED”

“Very touching and I enjoyed the perspective of fear to gain freedom, because change is scary and the future is unknown, especially when there may be unknowns related to resources and support. “

“Really interesting to see so many stories/perspectives. So glad to see this kind of theatre/art exists. Thank you for sharing this.”

“Fantastic! Enlightening! Great experience overall.”

“I do not say any of this lightly. I go to a LOT of plays and I write plays and I have been involved in sound, etc. BLOWN AWAY by how great this was. I am blown away by all aspects of this show. The writing is tight. The characters are believable, and the story lines make me THINK. Great combination of serious themes, difficult emotion, and humor. The direction, transitions and acting were so SO well done. I am blown away.”