Theater is central to RTA’s program. Workshops on improvisation, Shakespeare studies, play reading, script analysis, character study, and devised, physical, and forum theater give members the opportunity to inhabit diverse characters and perspectives, supporting the development of empathy and providing a safe space to explore different choices and emotions. RTA focuses on collaborative projects in which each person shares responsibility for the group’s success, developing original, classic, and contemporary plays and musical theater pieces that are shared with the population in prison, community guests and families of RTA members. RTA’s theater program challenges stereotypes and reconnects communities and families.

In addition to body awareness and movement intrinsic to theater, RTA also offers classes in modern dance and hip hop. Teaching physical control, focus, and non-verbal communication, these classes provide another medium for participants to express their own longing, hope, fear, and joy. It takes great courage for men to dance in prison, but RTA’s dance programs are overwhelmingly popular, filling the bleachers at every performance and garnering admiration from both the prison population and community guests.

RTA’s music program began at Sing Sing with a vocal workshop for a production of West Side Story, and then took on a life of its own. Vocal and instrumental workshops, concerts, revues, and a popular songwriting workshop offer ongoing opportunities for participants to develop concrete skills and expand their capacity for self-expression.

Participants in RTA’s visual art program learn art theory and history from Bosch to Banksy, and complete studio projects ranging from landscapes and self-portraits to personal logos, story boarding, and fashion design. Artists’ work is showcased at RTA’s community guest theatrical performances, providing a rare opportunity for the artists to display and discuss their work with audience members. Work by RTA members has even been exhibited at a number of local art galleries. RTA visual artists also support theatrical productions, creating sets, costumes, and props.

RTA’s writing program offers workshops in poetry, creative writing, playwriting, memoir, monologues, and speeches – helping participants improve their writing skills as they shape the narrative of their lives. RTA’s workshops meet participants where they are, building confidence and skills for those who may have struggled academically and supporting creative development for those ready to tackle complex emotions and histories, questions of cause and effect, identity and change.