Beyond Prison Walls 2023

We’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the remaining performances of Beyond Prison Walls due to Covid-19 exposures and cases among our team and cast.

Playwrights Project is grateful for the actors, advisors, directors, artists, and partners who lent their talents, time, and compassion to this collection of plays. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the playwrights for sharing their insights and imaginations with us. We hope that you will join us for future productions and continue to support stories that need to be told.


Playwrights Project partners with San Diego State University to present the 11th season of Beyond Prison Walls, featuring scripts written in our Out of the Yard program by playwrights at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison.

These heartfelt and enchanting plays each include intriguing relationships and surprising twists that demonstrate the compassion and creativity of the writers in our arts in corrections programs. Students in SDSU’s School of Theatre, Television and Project Rebound will direct and perform these short plays. Each performance includes all of the plays listed below and is followed by a conversation with audience, artists, alumni and representatives from the correctional facilities.

April 6th | 7:00 PM
April 7th | 7:00 PM
April 8th | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

FREE | SDSU Experimental Theatre

Featured Scripts:

Blackbird by Daniel Foreman

A Second Chance by Ulis Morris

The Dress by Steven Gonzales

Split-Decision by Dennis Reese

Hope Floats by Jimmy McMillan

Life in a Bottle by Jordan Brent

Donations to Playwrights Project are welcomed to support future programming.

This program is supported by the California Arts Council's Reentry Through the Arts Initiative and the Sidney E. Frank Foundation. Out of the Yard programs inside correctional facilities are provided in partnership with the William James Association and supported by the California Arts Council's Transformative Arts Program.

Directions to SDSU's Experimental Theatre

BY CAR
There are several places to park at SDSU. Street parking is available near the campus as well as in paid parking structures.
The closest structure is Parking Structure 12 (PS12).

• From I-8 exit onto College Ave. and head south (from I-8E this will be a right turn; from I-8W this will be a left turn).
• Turn right at the first traffic light south of the I-8 onto Canyon Crest Drive.
• Follow this road around to the left and up a hill.
• Turn right at the top of the hill (stop sign).
• The entrance to the structure will be on your right.
• Parking is permitted on levels 3-8 (bridge to Plaza is located on level 8). Do not park in spaces marked SP.
• PS12 can also be access from Montezuma Road and 55th Street.

Once parked, be sure to pay for parking:

• SDSU has recently updated their parking payment system. Permit purchases can be made via the PayByPhone smart phone app or online by visiting PayByPhone's website.
• You will need the Location Number, your License Plate Number, and a debit or credit card..
• The Location Number will be posted on signs nearby your parking spot. Parking Structure 12's Location Number is 28512.
• More information on this new parking system can be found on SDSU's website.

Navigating Campus to Get to SDSU’s Experimental Theatre

Note that there is a lot of construction happening on SDSU’s campus right now. (Noted in orange on the map to the right.) These directions should help you navigate to the theatre.

Via Uber or Lyft

• Have the driver drop you off at the main entrance of campus, at the intersection of Hardy Avenue and Campanile Drive.
• Walk along the side of the bike path past the soccer field and construction.
• You will see a sign that says Theatre on your left. Our check in table will be set up there. (See the purple line on the map.)

From Parking Structure 12 (PS12)

• Park on the top floor (level 8) and take the elevator to level 8 to access the pedestrian bridge to the WEST Campus. (See the black line on the map.)
• Cross the pedestrian bridge at the southeast of the structure following signs to the Performing Arts Plaza (not Viejas Arena).
• Once across the bridge, turn left. PLEASE NOTE: this area of the campus is under construction.
• Look for signs with the Playwrights Project Logo
• Follow the path slightly right, then turn left at the Music and Dance building toward the Open Air Theatre.
• Decend a short flight of stairs.
• Turn left onto the Campanile Mall walkway. The Experimental Theatre will be on your left.
• The Experimental Theatre is located behind the Don Powell Theatre.
• If walking this distance poses a problem for members of your party, please call for drop-off instructions.
• For other parking options and to see an interactive map, visit https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/map//index.jsp

For Elevator Access if Required

• Have a driver drop off passengers at the back of the Experimental Theatre.
• From the South end of Parking Structure 12 (just East of Viejas Arena) take a slight right to turn onto campus.
• Proceed up the road until you see Scripps Cottage in front of you on your left.
• Proceed up the Performing Arts Plaza driveway (which is really a wide sidewalk). Stop near the last building to unload passengers.
• The elevator is on right. Take the elevator to level 1 and the Experimental theatre will be to the left. (See the red line on the map)

BY TROLLEY
The GREEN LINE stops at SDSU and the transit center is located near the new Aztec Student Union. Upon exiting the trolley, follow the path outside and up the walkway. The Outdoor Amphitheater (OAT) will be ahead of you on the left. Follow this walkway across Campanile Walk (look for the large outdoor sculpture). The drama building is across from the music building.

For additional information or questions, contact Playwrights Project at write@playwrightsproject.org.

Testimonials

"Accurate portrayal of the guys inside and this program accomplishes a few things: 1) You have hummanized the guys to the outside eye, 2) You brought a rare opportunity to these guys to experience some "outside" in a very personal, meaningful and impactful way, 3) You gave our family a gift and we are grateful."
 
- The parent of an Out of the Yard playwright

"We all wanted to let society know that we're human beings who made some terrible mistakes in life and we're trying to reflect, make amends, and restitution and want to change our lives."
 
- An Out of the Yard Playwright

"I never realized that other people felt the way I do."
 
- A foster youth after a Telling Stories performance