A Performance to Remember: Twelve Angry Men at Sing Sing produced by RTA

By Brent D. Glass

Last week, I had the privilege of seeing a performance of Twelve Angry Men at Sing Sing
Correctional Facility (SSCF). Produced by Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) and performed
by men incarcerated at SSCF, this play challenges all of us to explore the biases and prejudices
that shape our decisions and relationships. The RTA production was outstanding with powerful
and vivid performances. The audience loved it and gave the cast (pictured here) a well-
deserved standing ovation. RTA’s mission is to “help people in prison develop critical life skills
through the arts, modeling an approach to the justice system based on human dignity rather
than punishment.” The play and the art show by RTA’s Visual Arts class at SSCF provided
compelling examples of how this mission is being fulfilled.

I remember seeing the film version of Twelve Angry Men (1957) several years ago and being
moved by the Reginald Rose’s extraordinary script and the memorable performances by Henry
Fonda and Lee J. Cobb. They set a standard that will never by matched. Nevertheless, on a
warm spring night at Sing Sing, a spirited, passionate production gave us all a night to
remember.
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Brent D. Glass
Executive Director