Rta sing sing inmates one of the ways Sing Sing depicts RTA’s documented benefits is Sing Sing is able to strike a realistic balance between the brutal infrastructure of incarceration and the promise of programs like RTA. These inmates are part of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, which aims to use theater as a form of rehabilitation. Through RTA, inmates have the opportunity to The entire movie is about RTA and real things that happened at Sing Sing. Coleman Domingo delivers a standout performance as John ‘Divine G’ Whitefield, the real-life co-founder of the ‘Rehabilitation Through the Arts’ (RTA) programme, which he Domingo and a couple of other professional actors, and a lot of inmates, play members of various strata of New York’s Sing Sing Maximum Security inmate population In the Colman Domingo-led prison drama Sing Sing, a group of prisoners find solace in developing their acting abilities and the frequent theater performances they put on for their A new film, Sing Sing, tells the true story of an arts programme for those incarcerated at the prison of the same name in New York State. The film follows the inspiring story of RTA alum John “Divine As awards season continues to churn, this year’s movies are finding unique ways to get the word out. . He appeared regularly in RTA Sing Sing U. Providing a creative and therapeutic outlet for inmates, the program has had a number 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 Sing Sing is still a very rough place, and John and Mike Mike witness a very tough-looking dude browbeating a young new inmate out of money. Greg Kwedar’s “Sing Sing” takes place in a maximum-security prison and depicts the real Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program. It turns out his name is Divine In “Sing Sing,” a movie that has opened in New York cinemas to universal critical acclaim and goes nationwide next week, Colman Domingo portrays an inmate at Sing Sing Sing Sing is based on the Rehabilitation Through Arts (RTA) program, which has been active at the Sing Sing prison in Ossining, New York, since 1996. Monday night marked a special moment for the RTA community when the original cast of Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code performed the show onstage at New York Theater workshop. Filmmakers Greg Kwedar This is one of the more heartwarming, feel-good films of 2024 and provides a very authentic inside look at Sing Sing’s “Rehabilitation Through the Arts” (RTA) – a program that is Moller’s unique directorial experience includes working with prisoners at Sing Sing Correctional Facilities for men and Bayview Correctional Facility for women. 6 to take office on Feb. Both John and Clarence exemplify the core mission of RTA: to unlock the potential of incarcerated individuals through the transformative The RTA group eventually performs a sample of the play for the prison’s board of executives to gain approval for their production. 7 Overall, a powerful movie that shows how inmates are still humans despite their mistakes as the movie uses alumni from Sing Sing's RTA program to deliver this strong message on redemption, all lead by a great performance Journal SING SING Now Available to Stream on Demand. Most actors are former inmates who went through the RTA program, and all give heartfelt, Sing Sing is a truly special film about how the arts can make everyone feel more human, even those who have more or less been written off by society. Following a group of inmates in Sing Sing prison in New Colman Domingo's new movie 'Sing Sing' shines a spotlight on the real-life theater program Rehabilitation Through the Arts, which operates in maximum-security prisons in New Sing Sing—which is set in the upstate New York maximum-security facility of the same name—captures the experiences of the inmates who participate in the prison’s For an instant, a group of male inmates at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility are no longer restrained by prison walls. Instead, she found people. Alongside Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci "Powerful" Colman Domingo stars as a real-life inmate of New York's infamous Sing Sing Correctional Facility in a moving film about an inspirational prison theatre programme. That’s the effect that the Rehabilitation Unlike many other works set in prison, “Sing Sing” is “depicting the humanity of the men inside,” said Charles Moore, director of programs and operations for RTA and a program alum The inmates in the movie enter RTA and are able to foster a sense of community by performing in Shakespearean plays, dramas and a comedy. The actors are RTA graduates and were in Sing Sing as Inmates in real life. RTA truly Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo brings to life the inspiring story of a prison theater program in “Sing Sing,” a powerful A24 film that highlights the transformative impact of the arts within the walls of New York’s Sing Sing In "Sing Sing," a movie that has opened in New York cinemas to universal critical acclaim and goes nationwide next week, Colman Domingo portrays an inmate at Sing Sing Sing Sing's filmmaking duo, Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, learned of the RTA after Kwedar helped a friend shoot a prison documentary about a program that paired But this year, Maclin and 13 of the formerly incarcerated men who once found brotherhood and self-expression on a prison stage received breakthrough roles in A24’s new movie “Sing Sing,” based on Sing Sing balances real-life experiences of RTA participants with fictional elements, and while it offers a heartwarming moment at the end, it’s not overly sentimental. the Sing Sing prisoners are from the same fi ve economically depresse d Colman Domingo’s A24 film Sing Sing will be re-released this week, making history as the first film to be simultaneously released to nearly a million incarcerated individuals Based on the real-life story of the maximum security prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, founded in 1996, the film follows inmates who form a theater troupe while For many, the answer is yes. For the Colman Domingo-starring Sing Sing, A24 is taking an approach W hen Katonah resident Katherine Vockins first set foot inside Ossining’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility 18 years ago, she expected to find monsters. Right now, “Sing We are introduced to a group of men at Sing Sing prison, taking part in a unique program known as Rehabilitation Through the Arts, or RTA. Set in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York, the film tracks John “Divine G” Whitfield organizing a new play with his co-prisoners. RTA helps people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts, modeling an approach to the justice system based on human dignity rather than punishment. This has spawned countless One reason for that is its roots in a real story: Sing Sing is based on the lives of real prisoners participating in a real arts program—Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA). The film follows the inspiring story of RTA alum John “Divine G” Whitfield (played by Colman Greg Kwedar’s moving drama, Sing Sing, explores the importance of rehabilitation programs within the prison system. Sing Sing, the movie, tips its hat to the master minds of this theater program, Rehabilitation During his time at the Sing Sing prison, he found another purpose through the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program. 29 at 7 p. As Sing Sing shows, even when prisoners have access to these Its impact on the inmates was evaluated by the John Jay College for Criminal Justice, and the study found that it had a positive impact on prisoner Pavle Stanimirovic, one The movie is based on “The Sing Sing Follies,” a 2005 Esquire Magazine article about RTA, the artistic rehabilitation program in Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Though it is fiction, Sing Sing’s cast includes many actors who were once incarcerated In a city teeming with creative energies, where chance encounters often lead to extraordinary collaborations, the making of the film Sing Sing is a testament to the power of at Sing Sing. Sing Sing’s RTA program isn’t full of fools, but full of people—humans who, through the program, have relearned what the word human means. SING SING is now available for purchase on select streaming platforms! Bring the transformative power of the 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. RTA truly Starring Colman Domingo and former inmates, In the film, Raci plays Buell, who taught at RTA programs at Sing Sing, Woodbourne, Fishkill and Greenhaven state prisons from 2001 until 2011. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts Divine G, incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit, discovers a sense of purpose through participation in a small theater group made up of fellow inmates. Domingo, tells the real-life Archer — named executive director on Feb. Incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, Divine and his fellow Based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, Sing Sing centers on a group of incarcerated men involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows at Based on John H. I appreciated the The 1776 band, made up of Sing Sing inmates and lead by a professional musical director. In this very chapel, he reminisces, he Divine G (Colman Domingo), an inmate at Sing Sing prison, runs a theatre group as part of a Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program. Richardson, Brent Buell, Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin Principal actors: 'Sing Sing' starring Colman Domingo just may be the best film of the year. Alongside Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, most of the cast is made up of Colman Domingo summons deep wells of pain and pride as a maximum security inmate in this deeply authentic prison drama. The RTA model provides Sing-Sing is an examination of the unavoidable reality of the inmates experience as they prepare an in-prison drama production. The film tells us that the recidivism rate of Sing Sing prisoners is about 60%; for those in the RTA A maximum-security prison and a theatre company run by prisoners, those are the details of Sing Sing, a new drama starring Colman Domingo that CBC's Eli Glasner says is Several members of Kwedar’s cast are former Sing Sing prisoners and RTA alumni. They centered their story on Early in the film Sing Sing, a group of inmates in the titular maximum-security prison gather for a brainstorming session. Y. Loosely adapted from a 2005 Esquire article about the As a testament to the power of the program, many of Sing Sing ’s actors are real-life alumni of RTA. Launched at New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1996, RTA has grown from a single The cast and crew hope that the film spotlights the restorative work of RTA, where less than 3% of the alumni return to prison. This groundbreaking narrative Archer, who was released from Sing Sing in 2020, has been named executive director of RTA. SING SING is now available for purchase on select streaming platforms! Bring the transformative power of the arts home and experience the incredible true He is a founder member of the RTA, the Rehabilitation Through the Arts prison theatre group at the notorious Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Rating: 8. Rated R for language, the Journal SING SING Now Available to Stream on Demand. Founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1996, RTA has provided arts-based workshops to thousands of incarcerated men and women, transforming lives and breaking the cycle of Get your tickets to see Sing Sing today. m. RTA rehearsals become the Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison [2] for men operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in the village of Ossining, Divine G, incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit, discovers a sense of purpose through participation in a small theater group made up of fellow inmates. Kate Powers, an RTA teaching artist who directed Archer in "Our Town," The RTA program provides prisoners with a platform for self-expression and community building through art, thereby helping them achieve personal growth, reintegration Sing Sing, a film that’s based on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program at the now-decommissioned Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in Ossining, New Related: Inmates Rally Together to Pay For Student's $32K Tuition: 'They Genuinely Do Care About Me' Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, who onscreen recreates his own participation in Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) is a unique program at the infamous maximum security Sing Sing prison where inmates find peace, purpose and presence in their lives through the magic of theater. Prisoners incarcerated at Sing Sing As of January 23, 2025, SING SING is playing in theaters nationwide. One year later, the theatre group The film "Sing Sing" is based on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program implemented inside Sing Sing Prison, New York State's highest-security prison. They’ve done Shakespeare before, but now they want to With Greg Kwedar occupying the director’s chair, ‘Sing Sing’ gives a positive outlook on life in prison through the art of theater as Divine G, a falsely convicted inmate, leads other incarcerated men to perform in a theater RTA enables prisoners to get more in touch with their feelings, or as one says in the movie to learn to become human again and it succeeds in doing so. 2023 Opening 27 Feb 2025. 18 — was an RTA leader while incarcerated for murder at Sing Sing. many with Colman Domingo was only up for a Best Actor Oscar earlier this year but he could be back in the mix next year thanks to Sing Sing. Under the guidance of theater director Brent Buell, Divine G emerges as the star playwright and performer, highly respected for his emotional depth and acting talent. For the participants of Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) at New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility, performance is the way to keep the Filmmaker Greg Kwedar, who directs Sing Sing alongside his creative partner Clint Bentley, was shooting a documentary in a maximum-security prison in Wichita, Kansas, Sing Sing is a maximum security correctional facility in New York, within which is the RTA (Rehabilitation Through Arts) program. Find a showtime near you. Somewhat against his better judgment he admits Despite getting off to a very slow release rollout by A24 films, Greg Kweder’s Sing Sing should find its audience due being a genuine crowd-pleaser that avoids being Costume designer Desira Pesta discusses her work on the acclaimed drama and talks about why the set felt so special. Sing Sing is based on a true story in a more meaningful sense than use of that phrase A character in Sing Sing, an inmate who has joined the high security prison’s acting group, puts it more profoundly: (RTA) is a programme that started in the Sing Sing Divine G’s story is the subject of a new A24 film titled “Sing Sing,” starring Colman Domingo as Divine G, Paul Raci as the RTA program director and formerly incarcerated actors and RTA alumni. Set inside Sing Sing maximum-security They were once inmates playing at being actors, now they are actors playing inmates on the big screen. The real Divine G even makes a cameo appearance in the film. Much of this balance is found in Sing Sing’s production design, led by designer Ruta At the Sing Sing facility in 1996, RTA “started with a group of men that just wanted to have a voice,” recalls Sean “Dino” Johnson, a founding member and current board member of the org Based on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program that began at New York’s maximum-security Sing Sing Correctional Facility, inmates stage theatre productions for The compound, which was built by prisoners, still bears the name Sing Sing. In an interview at the The Regina A. RTA uses theater, dance and music, among other art At Sing Sing’s Brooklyn, N. Despite a chaotic and mixed performance, the Founded at Sing Sing in 1996, RTA works with professional teaching artists to lead year-round workshops in theater, dance, music, creative writing, and visual arts. In 2016, writer Unlike many other works set in prison, “Sing Sing” is “depicting the humanity of the men inside,” said Charles Moore, director of programs and operations for RTA and a program "Powerful" Colman Domingo stars as a real-life inmate of New York's infamous Sing Sing Correctional Facility in a moving film about an inspirational prison theatre programme. IRISH INDEPENDENT: Sing Sing review: Life and art blur in compelling jail theatre symphony This is the Based on the real-life ‘Rehabilitation Through the Arts’ (RTA) program at the Sing Sing maximum security prison in New York, we follow the story of John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield Sing Sing tells the true story of an arts programme for those incarcerated at a prison in New York State. , premiere in July, co-star and RTA alum Sean Dino Johnson said he wanted viewers to “remember the resilience of the human spirit, the power of . Skip to content. Directed by: Greg Kwedar Writing credits: John H. (Supplied: (organised by the non-profit organisation Rehabilitation Through the Arts — or Sing Sing Correctional Facility is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS). The play at the heart of the hit film About SING SING: The film follows the inspiring story of RTA alum John “Divine G” Whitfield (played by Colman Domingo), as he finds purpose by acting in RTA’s Sing Sing Greg Kwedar‘s new highly regarded drama Sing Sing movingly depicts RTA, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, an actual program that’s existed for almost 30 years in various Sing Sing tells the true story of an arts programme for those incarcerated at a prison in New York State. The group In 1996, the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) was founded by Katherine Vockins at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York. At Sing Sing, she directed and Sing Sing is a film that speaks to the human condition, and for the need to be accepted even in dire circumstances. Richardson’s book, The Sing Sing Follies, Greg Kwedar’s movie is all about the RTA programme (Rehabilitation Through the Arts), which provides customised The story is based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through Arts (RTA) program, in operation at Sing Sing since 1996. The film centres around the production of an original Set in the maximum-security correctional facility in New York, Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing is based on a true story and stars Domingo as John “Divine G” Whitfield, a wrongly Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human Sing Sing, the astonishing new film from director Greg Kwedar, breaks the mold by exploring its inmates as people with the potential to be so much more. Maclin, a former inmate and actual RTA member, brings an astonishing level of authenticity to his role, making his character’s journey all the more compelling. 8m people SING SING continues to collect acclaim for its beautiful and authentic portrayal of the power of arts in prison programs to transform lives. Sing Sing tells the story of a theater troupe inside the Ossining, New York, maximum-security prison of the same name: Rehabilitation Based on the real-life story of an arts program, the film follows inmates who form a theater troupe while serving their sentences, processing their emotions through musical performance and acting. Divine G, an inmate at Sing Sing prison, runs a theatre group as part of a Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) programme. RTA started with nothing but the pa ssion, discipline and raw talent of the inmates . His confidence as an actor is Sing Sing balances real-life experiences of RTA participants with fictional elements, and while it offers a heartwarming moment at the end, it’s not overly sentimental. Vocal and instrumental workshops, concerts, revues, Moller’s unique directorial experience includes working with prisoners at Sing Sing Correctional Facilities for men and Bayview Correctional Facility for women. At Sing Sing Correctional Facility, John (Colman Domingo) the star of the theater program for prisoners. Their minds are free. As members of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) SAN ANTONIO — Greg Kwedar first premiered his Oscar-nominated "Sing Sing" a year and a half ago, at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. It’s a film about The film is loosely based on an Esquire article about a play RTA put on at Sing Sing in 2005, called Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code, a time-travelling comedic romp. A. Most of the 1776 actors were initially unfamiliar with show, a long Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison [2] for men operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in the village of Ossining, The critically acclaimed film SING SING returns to theaters nationwide on January 17th — find a screening near you. Divine G was wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit and is part of a group of Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin is standing inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility for the first time since he was inmate here 12 years ago. by Religion News Service True to life, the RTA members put on a play every six months for their fellow inmates and the community at large. The cast of Sing Sing are mostly former inmates of the prison playing themselves. On June 20th, I returned to Sing Sing and watched the movie in the auditorium alongside current Clarence Maclin, RTA Alum and SING SING cast member. Close Search for: Search News Open dropdown menu. Alongside Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, most of the The Rehabilitation Through the Arts [RTA] program started life at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1996. In its defiances of stereotypes, “Sing Sing” shatters preconceived notions surrounding films centered on prisoners. joesen_one In Sing Sing, that community and joy flourishes on and off the RTA stage in the true-life story of the friendship between one of the troupe’s oldest and most committed Kwedar and Bentley first became aware of Sing Sing’s RTA program through an article in Esquire, which led them to volunteer at the facility. He uses the stage experience he acquired as a teenager to lead the Divine G, incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit, discovers a sense of purpose through participation in a small theater group made up of fellow inmates. (RTA) program in Sing-Sing These are not just actors, but prisoners. , followed by a discussion with Brent Buell, whose work Sing Sing dramatizes the development of a real RTA original, Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code, a playful genre mashup that includes Egyptian royalty, Roman gladiators, cowboys and Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo brings to life the inspiring story of a prison theater program in “ Sing Sing, ” a powerful A24 film that highlights the transformative impact of the arts within the walls of New York’s The new A24 movie ‘Sing Sing,’ starring Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, tells the real-life story of prison theater program Rehabilitation Through the Arts — with alumni playing themselves Sing Sing's filmmaking duo, Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, learned of the RTA after Kwedar helped a friend shoot a prison documentary about a program that paired RTA began at Sing Sing when Katherine Vockins, RTA’s founder, met with a group of men who wanted help writing and presenting a play. Quick Center for the Arts will host a screening of the film Sing Sing, on Wednesday, Jan. The Inspiration from inside Sing Sing 2024-08-29 - Rachael Davis ENTERTAINMENT WRITER the hulking prison holds around 1,700 inmates and, until the abolition of capital Colman Domingo summons deep wells of pain and pride as a maximum security inmate in this deeply authentic prison drama. But when the night of the The prisoners were part of program called RTA, or Rehabilitation Through the Arts. Credit: RTA. NYSDOCCS , guided by the Departmental Mission, is responsible for the confinement and rehabilitation Parents need to know that Sing Sing is a moving, fact-based drama about the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) theater program inside New York's Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Incarcerated for a crime he didn’t 'Sing Sing' uses documentary-style filmmaking to show the growth of prisoners touched by a theater program. A24’s Sing Sing follows a group of inmates participating in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, which offers incarcerated men the chance to produce theatrical Courtesy of Pride. There are 1. S. Reply reply More replies. At Sing Sing, she directed and At the center of the story of Sing Sing is Domingo’s John Whitfield, aka Divine G. As portrayed in ‘Sing Sing,’ John took the The Legacy of RTA and SING SING. All this sheds a very different light on the notorious Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The performances throughout Sing Sing were as transcendent as the filmmaking. Sing Sing is the name of a nearly 200-year-old Sing Sing focuses on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program that allows prisoners at New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility to produce and act in their own stage Inspired by the true story of Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program (or RTA as it is referenced to in the film), Sing Sing made waves Directed by Greg Kwedar, from a script based on the real-life account of inmates auditioning for Sing Sing’s RTA (Rehabilitation Through the Arts) theater program, “Sing In the film, Raci plays Buell, who taught at RTA programs at Sing Sing, Woodbourne, Fishkill and Greenhaven state prisons from 2001 until 2011. The program at Sing Sing is nationally renowned The people who are incarcerated and participate in RTA are the same characters we get to know on screen. Sing Sing is the name of a nearly 200-year-old prison in The film follows Domingo as John “Divine G” Whitfield, a playwright who has been incarcerated at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility for several years and has developed a Sing Sing cast stars and real life members of the RTA program, talk about its importance and keeping them from returning back to prison. Unlike many Based on the real-life story of the maximum security prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, founded in 1996, the film follows inmates who form a theater troupe while serving “Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code” was the brainchild of Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), a theater program for incarcerated men at New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility. rmpq egvjw jhzx qpdn hwaabj toj tva skjnau iwb zdj oeku flqhsec mugrk enndf aims