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before time/after time
A film by the Arts, Justice and Safety Coalition
CLAIMING THE JUSTICE NARRATIVE project

OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER
BEFORE TIME/AFTER TIME
​
is a film produced as the culmination of the Claiming the Justice Narrative media and advocacy project, which seeks to support recent incursions in the felony court space by furthering alternatives to incarceration policy shifts.

Beginning in the fall of 2021, twenty system-impacted people participated in eight workshops led by teaching artists from four organizations: Recess, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, Dances for Solidarity, and The Phoenix Players Theatre Group. During these sessions, participants were introduced to various performance techniques in movement, improvisation, and autobiographical storytelling.
DOWNLOAD THE CLAIMING THE JUSTICE NARRATIVE PROJECT OVERVIEW
File Size: 2500 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

BEFORE TIME/AFTER TIME SCREENING AT ARTS IN ACTION FESTIVAL 
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PUBLIC SCREENING
September 10, 2023
2:00 pm - 3:15PM 

Theatre Row 
412 W 42nd St Fl 5,
New York, NY 10036
*FREE ADMISSIONS 
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project TIMELINE AND PHASES

Nine individuals were available at the conclusion of the workshops to start the process of creating an autobiographical performance piece. Beginning in late January of 2022, participants met in both virtual and hybrid settings once a week, facilitated by AJSC collaborators. Through prompts, storytelling, improvisation, and written submissions, we developed a script that focuses on incarceration and its effects, early trauma, post-release issues, and the personal histories and events that lead to individuals becoming justice impacted.
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The resulting short film, Before Time/After Time, takes the audience on a journey through the lives of nine returned citizens. They share with us fragments of their lives before and after incarceration. These fragments explore turning points in the lives of our collaborators, beginning in childhood, that, when viewed from the perspective of the present, create a direct line to the events that lead to system involvement. Other segments of our piece make evident the remorse felt by those who have done harm and the redemption they seek. The piece delves into the challenges of “coming home” and the effort it takes to survive “on the outside.” The piece is a tribute to the resilience, compassion, and generosity of those whose stories make up the devised text. And finally, the piece, and the process that created it, is an example of the kinds of communities that the arts can create at almost any age—communities where self-realization, shared goals and transformation are made possible.
HOPE DIED TODAY
EPILOGUE

Film credits 

Before Time/After Time
A film by the Arts, Justice and Safety Coalition

Funded by a grant from the ART FOR JUSTICE FUND, A sponsored project of The  ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS
 
Additional support provided by:
The Society for the Humanities at Cornell University and the JC Flowers Foundation.
In Partnership with Recess, TONYC, The Phoenix Players, Dances for Solidarity, The confined Arts
 
Project Leaders: 
Isaac Scott, Bruce Levitt, Shaun Leonardo

 
THE ENSEMBLE (in order of appearance*):
Richard Paul
Betsy Ramos
Donte Shearin
Daniel Kelly
Chermaine Black
Wanda Valez
Miss Sparks
Naquasia Pollard
Rafael Almeyda
 
DEVISING FACILITATORS
Bruce Levitt
Glenn Quentin
Hannah Viederman
 
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Isaac Scott

ADDITIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
Glenn Quentin
Hannah Viederman
Various via ZOOM
 
SCRIPT ASSEMBLAGE
Bruce Levitt
Glenn Quentin
Hannah Viederman
 
EDITING TEXT
Bruce Levitt
 
FILM EDITING
Well Said Media
 
Rehearsal facilities and consulting provided by TONYC
 
Special Thanks:
  • TONYC: Omari Soulfinger, Liz Morgan, Sulu LeoNimm, Adama Diallo, Amorarey Sandoz 
  • Recess: Jackie Chang,
  • MT Zion AME, Reverend Kahlil G. James
  • The Confined Arts: Gabrielle Doran
  • Broadway Advocacy Coalition’s Theater of Change course 
 
All ensemble members were compensated for their participation in worships, devising sessions and the filming for this project.
 
And a very special thanks to Shuree whose recording of Oh, Freedom is used with permission of the artist.

We intend to spark a national movement toward artistic alternatives to incarceration through shared knowledge and coordinated effort with shared best practices.  Central to the project is the dissemination of new narratives about the precursors to mass incarceration, the long-term traumatic effects of incarceration, and the challenges of returning home after incarceration. And finally, we hope to inspire the inclusion of such work in schools, community groups, youth organizations, and all those who provide services to families, to take up this process to create a true alternative to incarceration—intervention and interdiction before harm happens.​

© 2023 THE CONFINED ARTS

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ADVOCACY PROJECTS

Claiming the Justice Narrative

​
Newark Public Arts

Beyond the Bars: Seeding Justice

​132 Chicago Calls

​Open Call for Clemency

Viral Monologues

From the Inside Out

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Arts Education

​Arts Justice Safety Coalition 
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​Claiming the Visual Narrative
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End Gun Violence

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The Power of Language to Incarcerate

The Social Dynamic of Incarceration

Community Enhancement Through the Arts

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  • Who We Are
    • TCA MISSION
    • Arts Justice Safety Coalition
    • OUR TEAM
    • FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • CONTACT US
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Exhibitions >
      • Stella Adler Studio
    • Storytelling Projects
    • Arts education
    • Public Arts
  • HOW WE WORK
    • RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY
    • STRATEGIC ARTS ENGAGEMENT
  • DONATE AND SUPPORT
  • TCA OPPORTUNITIES
  • News & Events
    • EVENTS
    • NEWS UPDATES
    • TCA Opinions