Meet the RTA Alumni Featured in A24’s Acclaimed New Movie Based on RTA’s Theater Program
_______
The A24 film SING SING brings to life the powerful stories of several Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) alumni who have used the arts to transform their lives and challenge assumptions and perceptions about incarcerated individuals.
These remarkable people not only contributed their talents to the film but also shared their deeply personal journeys of redemption, growth, and the profound impact of RTA.
John “Divine G” Whitfield | Cameo, Executive Producer
John “Divine G” Whitfield is not just a character portrayed by Colman Domingo in SING SING—he is the real person behind the role. John spent nearly 25 years in prison, where he discovered the transformative power of the arts through RTA.
A founding member of RTA, John has won four PEN American Center awards, the 2008 Tacenda Literary Award for best play, and has written over a dozen novels and screenplays. His involvement with RTA was a turning point in his life. “If it weren’t for my involvement with RTA,” John shares, “there would not be the numerous Divine G novels that are available in all major bookstores.”
The film SING SING reflects John’s belief that the arts are the key to making the world a better place—a belief born from his experiences within the program. “When people of all races, creeds, colors, religious persuasions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc., can come together and embark on a journey that allows them to experience true familyhood of the likes of the togetherness that Martin Luther King envisioned in his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, such an impact is universally inspiring.”
Through SING SING, John hopes viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the full and complex humanity of incarcerated individuals, adding, “I hope this movie inspires audiences to come to realize that all human beings have the potential to become better human beings when given a fair chance, proper resources, and a helping hand.”
Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin | Principal Cast, Executive Producer
Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin co-stars alongside Colman Domingo, portraying himself in the film. Before his transformation through RTA, Clarence was known as one of the most feared men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he was introduced to RTA by chance during a prison chapel performance.
Seeing the freedom of expression allowed on stage, Clarence was drawn to the program and eventually became a key participant in RTA theater productions, earning respect for his talent and dedication. He shares how RTA changed not just how others saw him, but how he saw himself:
“Now you have people that come in from the outside, and they don’t see you as this wolf, this monster, this whatever image that you have to portray around the yard in the jail and all those things. But they actually see you as people, as a human being… I have to see myself differently as well.”
This shift in perception was crucial for Clarence’s growth. “When my opinion became valuable… it changed the relationship,” he says. “This was a beautiful exchange because it helps me to grow… by being respected and being treated as if I matter.” Clarence hopes to pass on this lesson to others, especially those who may feel undervalued:
“That’s one of the things that I would like to pass on for others—brothers that may feel as though they’re not valuable or that they don’t matter… If we could pour a little bit of that into everyone. If we could let them know, just let them know that they matter. And it would change their own expectations of themselves.”
Today, Clarence, in addition to his acting career, serves as an RTA consultant, representing the organization at speaking engagements and working with current RTA participants. His journey from a feared self-proclaimed “yard bandit” to a respected member of the RTA community is a testament to the transformative power of the arts.
Sean “Dino” Johnson | Supporting Cast
Sean “Dino” Johnson is a board member at RTA. He is also the Director of Program Marketing at Council for Unity, a not-for-profit organization that specializes in reducing violence in schools and communities. While incarcerated, and before RTA, Sean struggled with communication and building relationships with people. “RTA changed all of that for me—I learned the value of working together, building bridges, and connecting with others,” he explains.
Sean’s experience with RTA was life-changing. “RTA is a journey to oneself, breaking mental barriers that we often place on ourselves. Through this program, I found freedom behind the wall,” he reflects. His involvement in the film has inspired him to pursue acting professionally, and he sees SING SING as a vital tool for showing the world the humanity and potential for change within incarcerated individuals.
“Investing in Rehabilitation Through the Arts is crucial because many incarcerated individuals will come home one day,” Sean emphasizes. “By supporting RTA, you’re not only investing in their future but also in the future of your community.”
David Giraudy | Supporting Cast
David “Dap” Giraudy joined RTA when he was just 22 years old. At that time, he describes himself as a “knucklehead” who needed something to focus on beyond the “nonsense” of prison life. RTA gave him that focus and an outlet for his passion for theater and acting.
David has been with RTA since its early days, participating in the first full-length production. He hopes SING SING will help the program expand across the country and even the world, providing others with the same opportunities RTA gave him. “We are more than just numbers behind the wall,” David asserts. “We are humans with hopes, dreams, insecurities, faults, and feelings. Like anyone else in the world.”
Miguel Valentin | Supporting Cast
Miguel Valentin, a professional tattoo artist and poet, has also found inspiration through RTA. His participation in the program instilled in him the belief that he is more than just his past. “The future holds opportunities that are only limited by my imagination,” he says.
Reflecting on his experience filming SING SING, Miguel shares, “There was a terrifying moment when we pulled up to the downstate facility, and I wasn’t sure if I was able to do it. Again, that feeling of terror when they asked us to put on the greens. Then I remembered to trust the process and that this was a job. And that I am an actor just playing the role.”
Miguel hopes that SING SING will inspire others, whether they have been incarcerated or know someone who has, to believe in the possibility of change. He is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the film and the experience of working with others who share a commitment to growth and transformation.
The Power of Art to Transform Lives
The stories of these RTA alumni highlight the transformative power of the arts and the profound impact that RTA can have on the lives of incarcerated individuals. As they share their journeys, they remind us all of the potential for redemption, growth, and the importance of seeing each other as human beings, capable of change and worthy of dignity and respect.
We invite you to support RTA and our mission to bring healing and transformation through the arts. Your support enables us to expand our reach and provide life-changing programs to more individuals.
The filmmakers of SING SING were determined to cast as much of this movie with the people who really lived it, recognizing the immense talent and pathos of the alumni from RTA.
While this post features select alumni stories, we aim to add the voice of every alumni who participated in the film—so please check back for more!
