Antagonist Productions has worked along-side The Voices Inside since 2017, when we launched the first production of I Come From—a series of original plays created from voices inside Kentucky’s correctional facilities. That first production featured nine plays developed through the program and was presented publicly in Lexington, Kentucky. The work didn’t stop there; the show went on to tour inside five different Kentucky prisons, allowing incarcerated audiences to experience the stories firsthand.

In 2018, we returned with a second installment of I Come From, bringing new plays to an even larger public audience. While we were unable to share the work with live audiences between 2019 and 2022, the program remained close to our hearts and central to our mission.

In March 2023, I Come From came back to the stage, selling out the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center in Lexington with nine new plays developed through The Voices Inside. The series has continued to grow and we are now beginning plans for I Come From 6, continuing our commitment to uplifting voices that are too often unheard.

Alongside this work, we are expanding the I Come From program through our creative writing classes in the juvenile detention center, giving young people in the juvenile justice system space to explore storytelling, creativity, and self-expression. New works that come out of this process will also be shared through our Provocation Series, allowing these stories to live beyond the classroom and spark conversation within the wider community.

“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.”

 “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

antagonistproductionslex@gmail.com