In May of 2023, the St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center witnessed the culmination of a transformative journey as individuals collaborated to create an original audio play entitled MY THOUGHTS, MY WORDS, which you can listen to here.
Here's a snapshot of the program's impact, captured through participant surveys:
Survey Insights:
When asked about how much they enjoyed the class:
100% expressed that they liked the class
When asked if they had ever written a play before the class:
64% responded “No”
Favorite parts of the class/what they enjoyed about the writing process/what surprised them about the class included:
“Doing work with others”
“Being able to write and talk about my family and express my problems”
“Got to be the studio part because it felt good rapping over the mic”
The project provided a space for authentic self-expression and collaboration. Participants discovered the joy of creative collaboration, personal storytelling, and unexpected artistic expressions.
This project exemplifies the transformative power of the arts, fostering creativity, personal growth, and community building. The audio play stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity that can flourish even in challenging environments.