Hope from adversity | Shakespeare at San Quentin | TEDxSanQuentin

Meet the incarcerated thespians and find out why they're involved with Shakespeare while in prison.
Since 2003, Marin Shakespeare Company has offered weekly Shakespeare classes at San Quentin Prison, culminating in an annual performance of a Shakespeare play. The men also write and perform autobiographical theatre pieces inspired by their work with Shakespeare.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@karenisbell487]

I am an English teacher in Dallas, Texas and I LOVE showing my students this video; they are so amazed and inspired by the courage and resilience of these amazing men! Shakespeare speaks through them all!

[@wgc3004]

I've been on a TEDxSanQuentin binge. I'm literally in tear. God bless you all!

[@009Medea]

I am a Shakespearean actress and you gentlemen blew me away! Such talent in your performance and such insight and wisdom in your words. You humble me and inspire me so much I have no words but I will try. You are a shining example to all those who have compassion and you are a strong lesson for those who do not see the need, nay the RIGHT for every human to be educated and treated with respect no matter their past. Anyone can see, from this video, that Shakespeare holds up a light or is a mirror to humanity at its best and at its worst and proof that his language is accessible to ALL people of ANY circumstance. I wish to express my deepest thanks to all of you. I hope you read this comment. I hope you all know that you may be inmates but you are, more importantly, actors, scholars, and artists! Hold on to that. You all are AMAZING! I really hope that someone from this group gets to see this. Blessings to you all.

[@maryhales4595]

This. This is why the arts are so important. Theatre and music are rehabilitating for the soul.

[@mariliavalos3050]

Better acting than Hollywood

[@edgarlawn6813]

The World we live on is inside of your thoughts...If you can control your thoughts you control the world

[@AmberLambing]

This is wonderful. I'm looking forward to using this in my classroom for my students who can so relate to these stories.

[@donteven8938]

pls don't im doing this for homework and im having a hard time understanding

[@courtneylovesreading4116]

This is amazing!!!

[@beenaplumber8379]

Wow, MacBeth is coming to terms! Some really good work in this vid. I can only imagine what this must mean to an inmate in the program.

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Brilliant amazing impressive souls. Adversity is indeed makes u stronger n grow up with hope.

[@jacquelinecowgill2082]

Awesome!

[@katiekennaway1079]

Dope AF

[@gregoryambres1897]

🏆

[@hopefulmelancholy7514]

Better than corporate greed using these guys to make license plates & 👓 for free

[@jfe-z]

Too $hort?

[@courtneylovesreading4116]

First!!!

[@tueemsyhu4846]

MAN, IDK: of all the types of inmates, I woyld be kind of unnerved to let out inmates who have studied Theatre.😨😰😶😕